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Geno Smith Explains Why Raiders Are Better Fit for Him Than Seahawks

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 22:06 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Geno Smith Says the Raiders Are a “Better Fit” Than the Seahawks

When the Los Angeles Rams signed Geno Smith in March 2023, headlines and podcasts were quick to point out that the veteran quarterback had already spent a decade in the league, with stints in two very different locker‑room cultures. But in an exclusive interview that appeared on Sports Illustrated, Smith explained why the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders—the team that drafted him, gave him his first start and shaped much of his professional identity—are a better fit for him than the Seattle Seahawks, where he spent the last five seasons of his career.

A History That Begins With a Draft Pick

Smith was selected 12th overall by the Raiders in 2013, a pick that signaled an organization’s willingness to build around a young, mobile quarterback. “When I was drafted, I knew it was a place where I could grow,” Smith said. He recalled the excitement of the first few games, the fanfare of the “Rally” logo, and how quickly he was thrust into the spotlight. Those early years, he notes, were a learning experience: “I was young, a little rough around the edges, but the Raiders gave me the chance to be the face of the franchise.”

That experience was the foundation of a relationship that Smith has continued to nurture over the years. Even after his trade to the Seahawks in 2016, he kept a keen eye on the Raiders’ rebuilding efforts and maintained contacts with former coaches, notably head coach Jack Del Rio and offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich.

Why the Raiders Are “Better Fit”

Smith’s reasons for preferring the Raiders over the Seahawks are multifaceted:

The interview also touches on how the Raiders’ new general manager, Mike Mayock, and head coach Jon Gruden have been vocal about Smith’s value. “They see me as the missing piece,” Smith said, “and I feel confident that they’ll give me the tools and the stability I need.”

Lessons From Seattle

Smith didn’t entirely dismiss his Seattle tenure. He acknowledged that playing under Pete Carroll helped him develop a more disciplined approach. “Carroll’s system was all about precision and execution, and I learned a lot about staying calm under pressure,” he reflected. However, he contrasts the Seahawks’ run‑heavy offense with the Raiders’ willingness to use a quarterback who can move. “In Seattle, I had to fit into a system that didn’t let me be as mobile as I want to be.”

He also notes that the Seahawks’ coaching staff has a deep history of developing quarterbacks—think of Kerry Collins or Matt Hasselbeck—but Smith feels that the Raiders’ coaching changes (particularly the offensive coordinator shift to Saleh) create a more dynamic environment for his skill set.

The Bigger Picture: A New Era for the Raiders

The article contextualizes Smith’s decision within the broader narrative of the Raiders’ relocation to Las Vegas and their “Renaissance” under Mark Davis. With a brand-new stadium and a roster full of young talent, the franchise is looking to create a sustainable culture. Smith’s return is presented as both a symbolic and practical move: he embodies the Raiders’ “never‑back down” attitude while bringing NFL experience that the younger cohort can absorb.

Smith is candid about the challenge ahead. “It’s not a magic fix,” he admits, “but I’ve seen how the Raiders’ culture can help me play my best game. That’s why it feels like the right place.”

Takeaway

In a concise yet heartfelt interview, Geno Smith explains that the Raiders are not merely a nostalgic homecoming; they represent a strategic fit for his playing style, an opportunity for leadership, and a culture that resonates with his personal values. By contrast, the Seahawks, despite offering a polished system, do not align as closely with his strengths or the developmental path he envisions.

For fans and analysts watching the evolving landscape of the NFL, Smith’s move underscores a broader truth: a quarterback’s success is as much about fit and culture as it is about talent. The Raiders, once again, hope to capitalize on that truth by re‑uniting with a player who once carried the weight of the franchise—and, perhaps, will carry it once more.