Raiders HC Pete Carroll makes something clear about Geno Smith ahead of 2025 NFL season

Pete Carroll arrived at the Las Vegas Raiders to take charge of a team that fell short of its goals last year. One of his most important decisions was the addition of Geno Smith, in whom he has confidence to take his team far in the upcoming NFL season.

Their work together with the Seattle Seahawks was enough for the coach to decide to go with him when choosing a starting QB for the Raiders. In a recent conversation with the press, Carroll spoke about Smith’s key qualities.

“He’s going to bring us great stability and belief in the kinds of things that we stand for,” Carroll said of Smith via NFL.com. “His habits are so, so stellar; the way he works, the way he looks at the game, the way he looks at the challenges of it all is exactly in line with the way we think. So, he’ll represent us in magnificent fashion.

“I think it gives us instant stability in a crucial spot. The history that we have and my understanding of G, and how to help him be the best he can be, and he knows how to bring out the best in our system because he’ll stand for the competitiveness and the things that we believe in. It’s just a great fit and I’m so thrilled. This has been coming but today feels like the real deal. We’re finally here together, sitting next to each other and talking about getting out on the field and throwing football around and that’s what we’re all about and so we couldn’t be more connected in that regard.”

Geno Smith #7 and head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks celebrate a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field on November 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington.

Smith’s close relationship with Carroll

Pete Carroll and Tom Brady were among the main drivers behind Geno Smith becoming the starting quarterback for the Raiders next season. During a recent press conference, the former Seahawks QB made it clear what his coach means to him, and how much more they still have to accomplish together in the league.

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“I think there is unfinished business, and I think when people think about my story, you know, Coach Carroll was a big part of that,” Smith said to the press. “He gave me an opportunity when not many people would have. He saw the hard work that I was putting in, he saw the things behind the scenes that I do that allow me to get this opportunity. But to be able to play for him and again, to be a part of this organization, it means everything to myself and my family.

“I was just telling him, man, I’ll run through a wall for him, and he knows that. I’ll do the same for my teammates and for this organization, and so I just want that to be, you know, kind of who I am and I want that to be the statement of who I am as the quarterback of this team.”

Smith praised his winning mentality

One of the main attributes that has driven Smith’s consistent career in the NFL, according to him, is the mindset with which he approaches every practice and game.

“My mindset has never changed. It’s the same thing every day — go out there and compete, go out there and win, do what it takes to be the best,” Smith said. “Even when I was the backup that’s how I felt. I think that allowed me to stay in it, and now that I get the opportunity to start, nothing changes. I’m still, in my mind, that same guy who had to fight, scratch and claw for the opportunity and that will never leave me.”