Las Vegas Raiders quarterback let head coach Pete Carroll know just how he feels about him.
“Initially, when I thought this was a possibility, just coach Carroll alone drew me, drew interest here,” Smith said. “And getting to know all the inner workings, getting to meet [general manager] John [Spytek], getting to talk to [part-owner] Tom Brady, and really just understand what this thing is about and the direction they’re going, I saw myself aligning with that and I think today is the start of that.”
A reporter then asked if Smith felt there was unfinished business from his time in Seattle that made him want to continue his relationship with Carroll. “I think there is unfinished business,” Smith replied. “And I think when people think about my story, coach Carroll was a big part of that. He gave me an opportunity when not many people would have, and he saw the hard work that I was putting in. He saw the things behind the scenes that I do that allowed me to get this opportunity. But to be able to play for him and to be a part of this organization, it means everything to myself and my family. I was just telling him, man I‘ll run through a wall for him and he knows that, and I’ll do the same for my teammates and for this organization.”
Carroll briefly chimed in to let Smith know the feeling was mutual. “I’m gonna say that I might hit that wall before you get there,” he said.
“I’ve seen it,” Smith replied.
Smith was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He won the starting job as a rookie after incumbent starter Mark Sanchez was injured. He went 8-8 as the starter, throwing for 3,046 yards—the Jets franchise record for passing yards by a rookie—and 12 touchdowns, but 21 interceptions. He added 72 rushes for 366 yards and 6 touchdowns. He returned as starter in 2014. He started in 13 games, going 3-10 and throwing for 2,525 yards, 13 TDs, and 13 interceptions; he added 59 rushes for 238 yards and 1 score. He was benched twice in favor of Michael Vick.
In 2015, he suffered a jaw injury in a fight with a teammate, but even when he returned, coach Todd Bowles decided to remain with Ryan Fitzpatrick; Smith played in just one game, going 27 of 42 for 265 yards, 2 TDs and an interception. Smith remained as a backup in 2016, starting just one game before suffering a torn ACL.
Smith served as a backup with the New York Giants in 2017 and Los Angeles Chargers in 2018. He signed with the Seahawks in 2019 to back up Russell Wilson. When Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022, Smith beat out Drew Lock for the starting job. He started all 17 games, leading the Seahawks to a 9-8 record and a playoff appearance. Smith threw for 4,282 yards and 30 TDs with 11 picks. He led the league in completion percentage, was named to his first Pro Bowl, and won NFL Comeback Player of the Year that season. He started 15 games in 2023, throwing for 3,624 yards, 20 TDs, and 9 picks. He threw for a career-high 4,320 yards—the Seahawks franchise record for single-season passing yards—21 TDs, and 15 interceptions; he led Seattle to a 10-7 record, though they missed the playoffs.
Smith was also asked what specifically draws him and other players to Carroll.
“He’s very relatable,” he said. “He loves all of his players just like they’re his kids, and he treats us all the same. He treats us like men. He allows us to make decisions and allows us to be ourselves, but when it comes to inspiring people ... this guy’s got it in spades. He’s legendary, his track record speaks for itself, but he competes every single day and that’s what I love about him.”
