When Geno Smith signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, some assumed it was simply a matter of the Seattle Seahawks not meeting his contract demands. But the story appears to go deeper than that.
Despite guiding Seattle to a 10-7 record and coming within reach of the playoffs under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, there was reportedly a noticeable disconnect between Smith and Macdonald, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
“Obviously, they have young guys in the building that they want to step up and be leaders, and they got a new head coach last year,” Smith says. “And Mike was good for us, and I really enjoyed being with him for that season.
“But again, man, when you’re talking about business, and you’re talking about a quarterback who wants not only to get paid—every player wants to get paid—but to be respected, that’s the most important thing. It’s the respect factor. And I just felt like there was a disconnect there.”
While Geno Smith brought veteran experience and Mike Macdonald was in his first year as head coach, the reported disconnect between the two is concerning for Seahawks fans—especially given the need for change in Seattle. Some of those changes, however, didn’t sit well with Smith.
Now, Smith is reunited with former head coach Pete Carroll in Las Vegas and aiming to recapture the success he once enjoyed.
Contract disputes often drive departures, and while Seattle didn’t meet Smith’s reported $40 million asking price, the Raiders did. With new ownership in place, Las Vegas appeared eager to bring in a seasoned quarterback like Smith—especially with Tom Brady playing a prominent role in the team’s front office.
Ultimately, Smith’s exit wasn’t solely about money or disrespect. It was about unmet expectations—and the weight of a standard he felt wasn’t upheld.
“It was very frustrating last year, because as a team, we set goals for ourselves, and we didn’t achieve those goals,” he says. “Being a part of the team, being a quarterback, I take that right on my shoulders.”And I feel like that’s my responsibility to make sure that stuff happens.
“We weren’t able to reach our goals, weren’t able to get to the playoffs. That’s the ultimate goal, to give yourself a chance to go out there and win a championship. That’s what frustrated me the most.”
Some may question Smith’s decision to leave the Seahawks in pursuit of success with the Raiders. But with key pieces already in place—players like Maxx Crosby among them—the move holds plenty of appeal.
As the roster continues to take shape, Pete Carroll will look to recreate the success he and Smith once shared in Seattle, this time in Las Vegas.
