Even though he was no longer his head coach, Pete Carroll continued to mentor Geno Smith last year.
As Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer detailed in an article last month, Smith frequently reached out to Carroll during the 2024 season when he needed a sounding board. At the time, Smith was still the Seattle Seahawks’ starting quarterback, while Carroll was out of football after he and Seattle parted ways following the 2023 season.
“I was just being a friend, really,” Carroll said Wednesday during a wide-ranging conversation on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. “I was just being a friend and loving him up and supporting him through all the good stuff and the hard stuff.”
Smith and Carroll are now reunited on the Las Vegas Raiders. The 73-year-old Carroll was named the Raiders’ new head coach in January, and less than two months later, the Raiders swung a trade to acquire the 34-year-old Smith from the Seahawks.
It was Carroll, of course, who helped revive Smith’s career in Seattle.
Smith spent seven consecutive seasons as a backup quarterback – including his first three seasons with the Seahawks, when he served as Russell Wilson’s backup from 2019 through 2021. But after Seattle dealt Wilson to the Denver Broncos, Smith won the Seahawks’ starting job and experienced a breakout 2022 campaign that earned him AP Comeback Player of the Year honors. Smith then had another solid season in 2023, which further cemented his status as a legitimate starting QB.
Carroll reflected on Smith’s journey during his appearance on Brock and Salk.
“What he demonstrated to me was this remarkable connection in spirit to being ready – knowing that the very next play, he may be in the game,” Carroll said. “He never forgot that. And his resolve about that I thought was so exceptional that when he got his turn, I was thrilled for him.”
And ultimately, it’s why Carroll wanted to bring Smith to Las Vegas.
“This opportunity comes up and we need a quarterback – I mean, really, to me it was a classic opportunity for us to really transition with the quarterback position, with a coach that they see eye to eye on everything,” Carroll said.
“Geno has killed it here. He’s been such a factor. The leadership that he brings and his work ethic, his mentality and he looks great throwing the football. It’s been a fantastic assistance to turning this thing over.”
