Geno Smith knew how the NFL machine worked. After 11 seasons, he’d become fluent in the language of team-building, roster turnover, and business-first decisions. But heading into 2024, as he watched the Seahawks lean harder into their youth movement under new head coach Mike Macdonald, Smith felt something shift. Not in the depth chart. Not in the locker room. But in how the franchise saw him—as a placeholder. A bridge. A guy to root for, but not to build around.
So when Seattle slid a contract offer across the table this offseason, it landed with a thud. The money wasn’t terrible, but the message was clear: We like you. Just not enough to bet on you. Smith didn’t flinch. He didn’t counter. He already knew what he needed—and it wasn’t just another paycheck. “Every player wants to get paid,” he said. “But to be respected, that’s the most important thing.” That line? That was the real dealbreaker. That was when Geno knew it was time to bounce.
And Vegas? Yeah, Vegas was the call he’d been waiting on. Not just because the Raiders were interested, but because Pete Carroll was waiting there. The same guy who had his back when no one else did. The same guy Smith called when the walls started closing in last year. “He still coached me, even when he wasn’t my coach,” Smith said. That relationship—born in Seattle, tested through doubt, and carried through backchannel phone calls—was the foundation for what came next.
But the pitch wasn’t just sentimental. Chip Kelly, who once tried to recruit Geno out of high school, was now the OC. Tom Brady, the minority owner, was blowing up his phone with FaceTimes and football talk. And the GM? John Spytek, fresh off helping build a Baker Mayfield redemption arc in Tampa. For Smith, it felt like fate. “The stars are all aligning,” he said. “I was sick when Pete left Seattle. And I didn’t see this coming. But now? I think it’s going to be great for both of us.”
So Geno signed the deal—two years, $75 million, with real guarantees stretching into 2026. No escape hatches. No hedges. Just a franchise saying, We’re rolling with you. And while that contract came with some serious paper, Smith’s already looking past the commas and dollar signs. “We don’t want to celebrate contracts,” Brady told him. “We want to celebrate wins.” Smith heard that loud and clear. He knows the expectations. He’s not here for vibes. He’s here to win.
And now? He’s diving in headfirst. He’s FaceTiming Maxx Crosby. And he’s flying in Jackson Powers-Johnson for workouts. He’s planning long-term with a coach, coordinator, and owner who all chose him. He said, “Seattle was great,” while adding, “But I think I found something even better.” Respect. Responsibility. A clean slate in Sin City. And for the first time in a long time, Geno Smith’s not just in the room. He’s holding the keys.
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