New Raiders starting quarterback introduced to media
Exactly a month after his trade from the Seattle Seahawks was agreed upon, four days after he agreed to a new contract extension with the Las Vegas Raiders and a day before he and the team begins the offseason workout program, Geno Smith was introduced as the new quarterback of the franchise.
#Raiders QB Geno Smith, GM John Spytek and HC Pete Carroll: pic.twitter.com/h0cMRcQwSP
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) April 7, 2025
Appearing with new Raiders general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll, who was with Smith in Seattle and was instrumental in making this trade happen, Smith made it clear — he is in Las Vegas to try to win with Carroll as his coach, a person he holds in high regard.
“I would run through a wall for him and he knows that,” Smith said of Carroll. “I would do the same for my teammates and the organization.”
Smith emphasizied that reuniting with Carroll was important to him and it became an unexpected possibility after contract extension talks fizzled in Seattle.
The Raiders agreed to send a third-round pick to Seattle (No. 92 overall) for Smith on March 7. On Thursday, the team and Smith agreed to a new deal, which become official Monday.
ESPN reported the two-year extension is worth up to $85.5 million with $66.5 million guaranteed.
Geno Smith’s new deal with the #Raiders is for two years and $85.5M max value with $66.5M guaranteed, per source.
Vegas and Smith started working on the deal upon last month’s trade, now official weeks before the draft.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 3, 2025
Smith, who will turn 35 in October, had one year remaining on his three-year, $75 million deal with the Seahawks. His desire for a new deal was a big reason why Seattle made the trade. The deal is for three years worth $116.5 million.
Smith will be under contract through the 2027 season. He will be 37 when his contract ends. The Raiders hope he can be the starter through that period, but they will also likely draft a quarterback this month to groom under Smith. It’s the same three-year window that Carroll, who left the Seahawks after the 2023 season, is signed for in Las Vegas.
Smith called Carroll “legendary” and and inspiration to be around. Smith called his journey to the Raiders was “fate” and Monday is a day to “celebrate a chance to go out and win.”
Carroll said being reunited with Smith, who he coached for four seasons, two when he was the starter, gives them a chance “to do something really unique … it’s going to be fantastic.”
In addition to being back with Carroll, Smith is excited to work with new Raiders’ offensive coordinator. Kelly tried to recruit Smith to Oregon before he went to West Virginia and he had a pre-draft visit with Kelly when he coached the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013. Also, Smith is cousins with Ohio State star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who Kelly coached last season.
Smith also had a phone conversation and then a visit with Raiders’ part owner Tom Brady at his house recently and is excited to be with him.
In all, Monday had a tone in which everyone involved is excited to be together and ready to start a new era for the franchise.