Pete Carroll Defends Geno Smith, Blames Coaching

0:00On March 12, Pete Carroll is standing by former teammate Geno Smith after their rough one-year stint with the Las Vegas Raiders. The team finished four wins and 13 losses, leading to both the head coach and quarterback losing their jobs. Carroll insists the failure was on the coaching staff, not Smith. Smith put up 19 touchdown passes, but led the league with 17 interceptions and a quarterback rating of just 84.7. Carroll told reporters they should have prepared him better in the offseason, taking full responsibility for the breakdowns. Fans remember Carroll's always positive outlook from his Seattle days, where he built a strong bond with Smith, despite the quarterback's fiery moments. On the field, even as Smith's play dipped in Seattle with stars like DK Metcalf and others around him, Carroll never wavered in his support. Smith showed familiar issues last season, like holding the ball too long and forcing risky throws, patterns that carried over from his time with the Seahawks. Now he's headed to the New York Jets for a fresh start in 2026.

1:03While Carroll believes Smith can bounce back and prove he's a top quarterback, many doubt he'll overcome his turnover habits and lead effectively on, his new team.