When Geno Smith inked his new deal with the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason, plenty of people raised eyebrows. But for Smith, it wasn’t just about the money. It was about setting the tone—and no one made that clearer than Tom Brady, who’s quietly becoming a major voice behind the scenes in Vegas.
As Smith went through the free agency process, he spoke with Brady. And while Brady might not be officially calling plays or coaching up quarterbacks, his influence in the Raiders’ front office continues to grow. According to Smith, Brady’s message was simple but powerful: “We don’t want to celebrate contracts. We want to celebrate wins.”
That statement, according to Smith, solidified his choice to head to Las Vegas. It wasn’t about cashing in. It was about being the guy to change the culture of a franchise that’s been searching for consistency under center for far too long.
In the last year alone, the Raiders started Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder. The carousel never stopped. And with head coach Antonio Pierce looking for a fresh, dependable leader to take the reins, Smith became the guy.
Las Vegas didn’t just sign him to a one-year deal—they gave Smith a contract worth nearly $90 million, signaling real trust in his ability to lead both now and in the future. And to make his transition even smoother, the Raiders brought in Pete Carroll, his former coach from Seattle, in an advisory role. That reunion could be a massive difference-maker. Carroll understands Smith’s skill set, his mentality, and what it takes to get the best out of him.
Tom Brady knows all of this too. His push for Smith wasn’t just about finding a decent veteran stopgap—it was about identifying someone who could bring stability, confidence, and accountability to the locker room. And as a former player who redefined what it means to be a consistent, winning quarterback, Brady’s endorsement of Smith wasn’t something taken lightly.
Smith himself has made it clear that he’s not showing up to just collect checks. “I’m very grateful, very thankful, very appreciative,” he said when asked about the contract. “But my main focus is to go out there and win games, set the tone, and be a better version than anyone’s ever seen of me.”
If that version of Geno Smith can emerge in Las Vegas—backed by Carroll’s influence, Brady’s support, and a team eager to turn things around—the Raiders may have finally found the answer under center they’ve been chasing since Derek Carr’s departure. After all, when the greatest quarterback of all time believes in you, expectations rise. Now it’s up to Geno Smith to prove Brady right.
