Geno Smith’s time with the Las Vegas Raiders came to an end after only one season when he was traded to the New York Jets before the NFL’s new league year resumes on March 11. Pete Carroll, who coached Smith during their lone season together with the Raiders, blames the coaching method for Smith’s uninspiring performance last season.
Despite this, Carroll believes the quarterback has a bright future in the NFL. If anyone needed to hear up-close information about Smith, Carroll is someone worth listening to.
Pete Carroll Takes Responsibility for Geno Smith’s Raiders’ Short-lived Tenure
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Dec 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll reacts after a play during the second half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Caroll was full of praises for Smith during an ESPN interview, while expressing confidence in the two-time Pro Bowler, despite his struggles with the Raiders. The gaffer also took responsibility for Smith’s short-lived tenure at Las Vegas.
Caroll, who also coached Smith for five years with the Seattle Seahawks, admitted that Smith joined the Raiders at the right time, when the franchise needed him most. But a failed coaching approach, according to Caroll, failed to exploit the players’ potential.
The quarterback started 15 games for the Raiders in 2025 after being acquired during the offseason for a third-round pick. He posted moderate numbers across the season, completing 67.4% of his passes for 3,025 yards and 19 touchdowns, but also threw a league-leading 17 interceptions while leading the Raiders to an abysmal 2-13 record.
According to Pro Football Focus, Smith finished the season as the 34th graded quarterback among 38 qualifiers. His 84.7 passer rating ranked 30th among 33 qualified players.Yet, Caroll insisted that Smith’s poor performance stems partly from systemic issues within the administration. Among other things, Caroll highlighted the team’s choice not to significantly improve their offensive line ahead of the 2025 season.
Disclosing Caroll’s comments on Smith during the interview, a social media accountposted:
“Powerful: Pete Carroll speaks about Geno Smith for the first time since being fired by the Raiders.
“I love talking about G. I think I see him differently than a lot of people see him. He’s a phenomenal QB, he really is. We should’ve coached him better. I take a lot of responsibility in that.”
Smith has the potential to be a Top 10 QB.”
Powerful: Pete Carroll speaks about Geno Smith for the first time since being fired by the Raiders.
“I love talking about G. I think I see him differently than a lot of people see him. He’s a phenomenal QB, he really is. We should've coached him better. I take a lot of… pic.twitter.com/R8cogTcM5M
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 14, 2026
Now with the New York Jets, Smith will attempt to rebound following a rocky year. The Jets might be Smith’s third different NFL team of the last three seasons, but Carroll is optimistic the veteran quarterback can perform excellently with the Jets.