Veteran quarterback Geno Smith wasted no time sharing his enthusiasm after news broke that he was headed to a new team. On Friday, the Seattle Seahawks officially traded Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, ending his three-year tenure as the team’s full-time starter.
The move marks a significant shift for both franchises, with Seattle opting to move on from Smith and Las Vegas seeking much-needed stability at the quarterback position.
A few hours after the trade was made public, Smith took to social media to express his excitement about the next chapter in his career.
“God is the GREATEST!! Excited to get to work and WIN. The time is NOW,” Smith wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
A Reunion with Pete Carroll
One of the most intriguing aspects of Smith’s move to Las Vegas is his reunion with former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. While Carroll stepped away from coaching following the 2023 season, he was later hired as the head coach of the Raiders in a surprise offseason move.
Smith and Carroll reportedly maintained a strong relationship even after Carroll’s departure from Seattle, and now they have the chance to work together once again in a new setting.
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A Fresh Start for the Raiders’ Quarterback Position
The Raiders have struggled to find consistency at quarterback ever since parting ways with Derek Carr following the 2022 season. Over the last two years, Las Vegas has cycled through five different starting QBs:
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Gardner Minshew
- Aidan O’Connell
- Brian Hoyer
- Desmond Ridder
None of them managed to secure a winning record in a Raiders uniform, leaving the franchise searching for a long-term solution under center.
Smith, on the other hand, has brought stability and success to the teams he’s led. Since becoming Seattle’s starter in 2021, he has helped guide the team to a winning record in all three seasons, earning two Pro Bowl selections in the process. The 34-year-old also proved to be durable and reliable, missing just two games over that span.
Excitement from Teammates and Trade Rumors
Smith wasn’t the only one pumped about the trade. Raiders defensive star Maxx Crosby also reacted to the news with excitement.
Interestingly, reports surfaced that the Seahawks initially tried to acquire Crosby in a separate trade proposal involving Smith. However, the Raiders ultimately refused to part ways with their elite pass rusher, leading to a different version of the deal.
Now, Smith will have the opportunity to help the Raiders turn the page and establish a new identity under Carroll, while the Seahawks look to reshape their future at quarterback without the veteran signal-caller.
With Smith’s passion and Carroll’s leadership, Las Vegas could finally have the offensive stability they’ve been searching for since Carr’s departure.