The Las Vegas Raiders still haven't introduced or allowed the media to speak to new quarterback Geno Smith, whom they traded for with the Seattle Seahawks. And that's because the two sides haven't agreed on an extension yet.
Remember how he wanted an extension from the Seahawks? He still wants it. And, the reports are that he wants around $40 million APY. Even with that going on, even with not really knowing how everything will go, and even with not having played a single snap yet in a Raiders uniform, let alone wear any Raiders gear -- he's still being a great teammate.
Smith is already contacting the other new free-agent additions the Raiders have made. If that doesn't show you the kind of guy the Raiders are getting, then what does?
“Yeah, first and foremost, man, I would have to say Geno is a top-tier Pro," new Raiders' running back Raheem Mostert said Wednesday. "You know, when he first heard the news that I was getting signed to the Raiders, he immediately – I was on the phone call with Chip [Kelly] and the running backs coach (Deland McCullough) -- and I get a text from a strange number, and it's just saying, ‘Hey, this is Geno. I'm super excited to have you, man. We're super excited to have you. And let's get wins. Let's get ready to work.’
"That just tells you the type of player that he is and wants to be, right? That right there in itself, for a guy that can reach out to so many other people and he could be a busy guy, to reach out to me the way he did at that moment, I hadn't even officially signed, makes it reassuring that he's definitely on track to be something great and also this team.”
Hearing that will make other players want to come and play with Geno Smith, believe it or not. The Raiders needed their quarterback and they got one, they got a guy who is already committed to what the Raiders have going, and committed to being a leader, and the guy hasn't even worn silver and black yet.
That says a lot about the guy. Never mind the on-the-field stuff, even though he is pretty much the best quarterback the Raiders have had in a very long time. But he also wants to win.
