Geno Smith Says He Would 'Run Through a Wall' for Raiders HC Pete Carroll After Trade

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith would do just about anything for his former Seattle and current Las Vegas coach, Pete Carroll.

"I'll run through a wall for him, and he knows that," Smith said, per ESPN's Ryan McFadden.

"I want to say, I might hit that wall before you get there," Carroll responded.

Smith and Carroll's coach-player dynamic dates back to 2019 when the former was the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks under the latter, who coached the organization for 14 years.

Carroll was hired by the Raiders in January after spending the 2023 season away from the league. The coach signing with Las Vegas is "one of the biggest reasons" for the 34-year-old quarterback's decision to head south, per McFadden.

"I think there is unfinished business," Smith said. "And I think, when people think about my story, Coach Carroll was a big part of that. He gave me an opportunity when not many people would have."

Smith was a second-round pick in the 2013 draft by the New York Jets, where he spent four years. He then played for the New York Giants for one year and the Los Angeles Chargers for another, before moving on to his tenure with Seattle.

He started 53 games for Seattle, throwing for 12,961 total yards and 76 touchdowns with a 68.5 completion rate.

The respect is mutual, as Carroll recalled Smith's persistence while playing behind former franchise quarterback and 10-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson for two years before stepping into the spotlight after Wilson's departure to Denver.

"I mean, not weeks, I'm talking for years playing behind Russell (Wilson), and he just never let up on that thought. And it was so impressive to me," Carroll said. "As soon as we had the opportunity to put him in a position to take the lead, I couldn't wait. And he's been a winner ever since."

Smith was acquired by the Raiders in March through a trade with the Seahawks before signing a two-year, $75 million contract extension in early April with his former coach and Las Vegas.