Geno Smith is no stranger to defying expectations. After reviving his career with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022, the veteran quarterback is now aiming to lead a new chapter—this time with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Traded to Vegas in the offseason, Smith reunites with former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, now at the helm in the Sin City. The Raiders’ leadership overhaul also included new GM John Spytek, who helped orchestrate a roster reset on both sides of the ball following a losing 2024 campaign.
Despite those moves, Las Vegas has largely flown under the radar heading into 2025. The team faces steep competition in the AFC West, where three teams made the playoffs last year. Still, Smith isn’t concerned about outside expectations.
“I’m always the guy that I believe the game gets settled between the white lines on game day,” Smith told NFL Network’s Kevin Patra. “But from my vantage point, we’ve got a really, really good team. I don’t know if we’ll shock anyone inside of this building, but maybe shock some outsiders.”
He continued: “Let them sleep. I don’t want them to see us coming. We’re just working in the shadows right now, getting our game right, and when it’s time to go in those bright lights, I think we’ll be ready.”
Smith’s confidence comes with credibility. Now entering his 12th NFL season, Smith has played for four franchises: the Jets, Giants, Chargers, and Seahawks. Over his career, he has thrown for 19,143 yards and 105 touchdowns. He’s a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2022.
Smith’s comments reflect the mindset of a team looking to rewrite its story. The Raiders may not be preseason darlings, but with renewed leadership and a veteran quarterback at the helm, they could be primed to surprise.
Whether or not the improvements will translate into playoff success remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: Geno Smith isn’t backing down from the challenge.
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