When Geno Smith and Pete Carroll returned to Lumen Field last Thursday night, it wasn’t the warm welcome either might have expected. Both once beloved figures in Seattle Seahawks lore, they now wear the silver and black of the Las Vegas Raiders — a stark reminder that the fanbase’s loyalty has shifted toward the future, not the past.
Before Smith even took the field, the boos rained down. A fan’s sign mocking Smith and comparing him unfavorably to JaMarcus Russell — a name synonymous with draft busts — ignited a controversial moment. Smith responded with an obscene hand gesture, a reaction instantly captured by cameras and quickly spreading across social media.
At the postgame press conference, Carroll didn’t mince words when asked about Smith’s gesture. “Did you see what the sign said? Next question,” he replied, bluntly defending his quarterback. This reaction is emblematic of Carroll’s known loyalty to his players, a hallmark of his coaching tenure dating back to their time together in Seattle.
Pete Carroll Defends the Raiders QB: Did You See What The Sign Said?
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Smith’s NFL journey is one of perseverance and late blooming. Drafted in the second round by the New York Jets in 2013, his early years were largely spent in backup roles, overshadowed by a “bust” label that seemed premature. It wasn’t until Russell Wilson’s departure from Seattle that Smith seized his opportunity to start — and he delivered. Over four seasons as the Seahawks’ starter, Smith led the team to three consecutive winning campaigns, exceeding expectations and proving his critics wrong.
His peak came with back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in 2022 and 2023, and being named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2022. Smith’s career-high 30 touchdown passes and league-leading completion percentage underscored his transformation from journeyman to reliable leader.
This offseason, Smith was traded to Las Vegas after Carroll was hired as the Raiders’ head coach, marking a reunion that speaks to the coach’s confidence in Smith’s ability to lead a team. The Raiders secured Smith on a two-year, $75 million extension — $66.5 million guaranteed — signaling their commitment to stability at quarterback and a hope to reshape the franchise culture.
Smith’s Raiders debut at Seattle was statistically modest — completing just one of three passes for 15 yards before backups took over — but the symbolic weight of the moment was heavy. The boos from Seattle’s crowd were a stark reminder of the complex emotions surrounding a player who helped maintain relevance for the Seahawks after Wilson’s exit.
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Despite the chilly reception, Carroll’s unwavering defense of Smith highlights the deep professional respect between the two. “I’ve always appreciated his work ethic and competitiveness,” Carroll said last offseason after signing Smith. “He’s a guy who earned his chance and made the most of it.”
Seattle fans’ harsh reaction may seem surprising given Smith’s contributions to the franchise, but it reflects a common sports dynamic: once a player moves on, especially under complicated circumstances, loyalties can quickly fade. Yet, from Smith’s perspective, the message was clear — he won’t be defined by a fan’s sign or boos.
As Smith embarks on this new chapter with the Raiders, his story remains a testament to resilience and determination. For Pete Carroll, the gesture wasn’t just a defense of a player; it was a reaffirmation of loyalty to a man who defied the odds and rewrote his narrative. In the unpredictable world of the NFL, such bonds are rare — and enduring.