Geno Smith has never been afraid to speak his truth, and now that he’s with the Las Vegas Raiders, he’s pulling back the curtain on what really went down in Seattle. In a recent interview, Smith expressed that he felt disrespected by the Seahawks organization, citing a breakdown in communication and a lack of appreciation as key reasons behind his departure.
Smith explained that while he enjoyed playing under head coach Mike Macdonald during the 2023 season, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the team’s vision didn’t include him moving forward. With Seattle undergoing a culture shift and leaning into a younger core, Smith—who resurrected his career with the Seahawks and even made a Pro Bowl—felt he was being phased out despite giving the franchise stability under center.
“Obviously, they have young guys in the building that they want to step up and be leaders,” Smith said. “And they got a new head coach last year… but again, man, when you’re talking about business, and you’re talking about a quarterback who wants not only to get paid—but to be respected—that’s the most important thing.”
Smith also emphasized that his frustration wasn’t with where the Seahawks were as a team, but with where they were heading. “I just felt like there was a disconnect there,” he said. “The disconnect, again, wasn’t about where the Seahawks were, but where they were going.”
After a solid two-year run as the starter in Seattle, the decision to move on hit Smith hard, especially considering what he gave to the franchise when many had written him off. Now with the Raiders, backed by the support of Tom Brady and reunited with former coach Pete Carroll, Smith is ready to prove he’s still a difference-maker in the league—and he’s clearly motivated by more than just money. He’s driven by the desire to be valued.
