Geno Smith's Revelation on Seahawks Contract Negotiations

In a surprising turn of events, quarterback Geno Smith has shared that there was no negotiation with the Seattle Seahawks regarding a contract offer before he was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders. Seattle General Manager John Schneider previously mentioned that the team made an offer to Smith, but it appears that the deal was never truly discussed.

Reasons Behind Smith's Decision

Smith revealed in an interview with Albert Breer of SI.com that his representatives chose not to counter the offer made by the Seahawks. The primary reasons stemmed not just from the financial aspect—where the annual payment fell "well shy" of what Smith had hoped for—but also due to the structure of the contract. The Seahawks’ proposal lacked guaranteed payments beyond the first year, which would have given them flexibility year-to-year, a flexibility they now have with Sam Darnold as Smith's replacement.

The Rekindling of a Relationship

The dynamics shifted further with the entrance of head coach Pete Carroll, who previously coached Smith at Seattle. As Carroll is set to be part of the Raiders’ new staff, he and Smith have rekindled their relationship. “I would call him whenever I got frustrated,” Smith admitted. “He talked me through things, and he still coached me. That’s what makes him such a special man; he was coaching me even when he wasn’t my head coach. The conversations we had kept me steady throughout the season.” Smith’s sentiments reflect the strong bond that developed during their time together in Seattle, especially during challenging moments last season.

Frustrations with the Seahawks

Frustration loomed over Smith as he was never extended a contract from the Seahawks, which may have contributed to his rocky finale with the only team he called home for several seasons. Despite not violating any league rules, the potential for Carroll and Smith to discuss future partnerships became plausible had Carroll secured another job before taking command in Las Vegas.

A New Challenge in Las Vegas

Now reunited with Carroll, Smith finds himself with a new contract that he was unable to secure in Seattle. However, his transition comes with fresh challenges. The Raiders compete in the notoriously tough AFC West, which features powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers, contrasting with the relatively less daunting NFC West.

Looking Ahead

With Smith and Carroll together again, the pressure is on both to quickly adapt and improve the Raiders' fortunes. Will they overcome the tougher competition and emerge successful in the coming seasons? Time will tell, but one thing's for sure—Geno Smith's journey has just taken a thrilling new turn.