Without saying it out loud, Geno Smith basically confirmed what we always thought: Pete Carroll’s return to the NFL precipitated Smith’s departure from Seattle.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again (along with ESPN’s Brady Henderson): We think Smith very likely would still be in Seattle (under a new deal) if Carroll had not been hired by the Las Vegas Raiders.
“I think there is unfinished business, and I think when people think about my story, Coach Carroll is a big part of that,” Smith told media Monday, exactly a month after the Seahawks traded him to the Raiders. “He gave me an opportunity when not many people would have. … To be able to play for him again and to be a part of this organization, it means everything to myself and my family. I was just telling this man I’ll run through a wall for him, and he knows that.”
Smith didn’t have to run through a wall to get to Carroll’s Raiders; he just had to ignore Seattle’s offer.
When Carroll surprisingly was hired back into the NFL by the Raiders, he seemed to quickly put Smith on his short list of desired quarterbacks. The Raiders reportedly pursued Matthew Stafford, who ended up staying with the Rams. Then Carroll reportedly asked John Schneider about Smith at the Combine and was shot down.
At the time, Schneider and Mike Macdonald were thinking they would get an extension done with Smith. But Smith, who had talked with Carroll all throughout 2024, surely knew his old coach wanted him. And he clearly preferred to play for Carroll rather than stay in Seattle, where he was less attached to the coach and did not feel he was part of the future – even though the Seahawks took “a pretty significant swing” with a “solid contract offer.”
Schneider said Smith’s agent did not respond to their contract proposal right after the Combine – reportedly worth around $35 million with $40 million paid in 2025. A report indicated that Smith asked for a trade instead; Schneider denied that but did say he never heard back from Smith’s agent. It was obvious that Smith wanted out. The trade happened very quickly because Schneider knew Carroll and Smith wanted to be reunited.
Smith told SI.com, “When you’re talking about business, and you’re talking about a quarterback who wants not only to get paid … but to be respected, that’s the most important thing. It’s the respect factor. And I just felt like there was a disconnect (in Seattle).”
Despite that disconnect, if Carroll had not returned and offered a clear path out of Seattle to a preferable landing spot, it is probable that Smith would have negotiated with the Seahawks and found middle ground for an extension.
But Carroll was indeed there with open arms and the Hawks knew they could pivot to Sam Darnold, who was both much younger than Smith and cheaper in the short term.
So what did Smith get from the Raiders?
According to Pro Football Talk, the deal is very similar to the one the Seahawks ended up giving Darnold – the big difference being the upfront guarantees.
Smith reportedly will get $66.5 million over two years, with $58.5 million fully guaranteed. Darnold will get $65 million over two, with $37.5 million fully guaranteed and $17.5 million of his 2026 pay guaranteed for injury until it fully vests next February (Seattle’s standard contract structure).
Smith has incentives worth up to $3.5 million per year more, and Darnold’s incentives add up to $5 million per year. The max value of Smith’s deal reportedly is $116.5 million, while Darnold’s could hit $115.5 million.
In the end, Smith did not get anywhere close to the $45 million per year he reportedly was seeking. The best it could be is $38.8 million. But the chance to be with Carroll again obviously makes up for the money he did not get.
“I was sick, man, when (Carroll) left Seattle. I was sick,” Smith said. “I think it’s going to be great for both of us.”
And the expectation is that Darnold will be great for Seattle. So hopefully the Smith-Carroll reunion works out for everyone.
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