The relationship between a head coach and his quarterback can often define a franchise, for better or worse. Few have experienced the soaring highs and crushing lows quite like Pete Carroll and Geno Smith. From orchestrating a miraculous career revival in Seattle to enduring a nightmare campaign with the Las Vegas Raiders, the duo has shared a football journey unlike any other. Now, in the wake of Carroll’s recent dismissal from the Raiders and Smith’s subsequent trade back to the New York Jets, the veteran head coach has stepped forward to take full responsibility for the quarterback’s recent struggles in Sin City.
In his first interview since parting ways with Las Vegas, Carroll spoke with ESPN’s Rich Cimini to clear the air. Instead of pointing fingers at his former quarterback to salvage his own reputation, Carroll showered Smith with praise and offered his unwavering support for the veteran’s reunion with the team that drafted him back in 2013.
“If he figured out New York was a good place for him and he wanted to do it, and he was part of the decision, then I couldn’t support him more,” Carroll remarked regarding the recent trade. “I love the guy and want the very best for him. He deserves it. He worked really hard to get where he is.”
The history between the two adds a fascinating layer to this offseason drama. Carroll was the primary architect of Smith’s resurgence when they were together with the Seattle Seahawks, transforming a once-written-off journeyman into a Pro Bowl-caliber starter. Hoping to capture that same magic, the Raiders acquired Smith last year to helm Carroll’s new offense in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, the reunion proved to be a total disaster on the field.
Behind an atrocious offensive line, Smith faced relentless pressure snap after snap. The statistical fallout from the season was grim: Smith was sacked a staggering 55 times and threw a league-leading 17 interceptions. Yet, Carroll outright refuses to lay the blame at the feet of his signal-caller.
“He’s a phenomenal quarterback, he really is,” Carroll confessed. He noted that Smith enjoyed a stellar offseason and even a brilliant opening game before the wheels completely came off. “We just faltered and faltered. We didn’t do well enough coaching. We should’ve had him better prepared… I take a lot of responsibility in that. It was very, very disappointing for us both.”
The root of the problem, according to Carroll, wasn’t Smith’s decision-making or arm talent; it was a sheer lack of protection. The former coach openly lamented the front office’s failure to address the glaring holes in the trenches, emphasizing that their offensive front simply “got murdered” by opposing defensive lines. He admitted that the organization failed to aggressively pursue upgrades in the draft or free agency, essentially leaving Smith as a sitting duck in the pocket. “The only reason you get sacked that much is because you try to throw it too much,” Carroll added, acknowledging that the offensive scheme collapsed under the weight of poor blocking.
Now, the page turns for both the Raiders and the Jets. Las Vegas is poised to select presumed No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza to usher in a brand-new era. Meanwhile, the Jets capitalized on the fire sale, acquiring their former draft pick for mere pennies in a late-round pick swap.
For the Jets, affectionately known as Gang Green, the addition of Smith is a massive sigh of relief. Following a turbulent year marked by a revolving door of quarterbacks—including Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook—Smith represents an immediate and undeniable upgrade. However, his arrival brings an ironic twist for the New York faithful. Smith’s competence under center might actually elevate the team’s floor just enough to pull them out of contention for a premier draft pick in 2027.
Whether Smith leads the Jets to unexpected victories or simply serves as a bridge for a future rookie, his resilience is undeniable. Even as the Raiders look toward the future and Pete Carroll navigates the unemployment line, the bond forged between coach and quarterback remains unbreakable. In a league often defined by cutthroat business decisions and fleeting loyalties, Carroll’s steadfast defense of Geno Smith is a refreshing reminder of the human element embedded in the game. As Smith steps back onto the turf at MetLife Stadium for his second act, it will indeed feel, as the quarterback recently described it, “kind of like a movie.”
