While Geno Smith’s decision to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders involved various factors, the endorsement of Tom Brady, who has taken on a significant role in the team’s front-office decisions, played a notable part.
Brady, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history, evidently recognized something valuable in Smith’s potential. During Smith’s free agency process, Brady reportedly made a strong statement of support, which resonated deeply with the former Seattle Seahawks quarterback, according to Albert Breer of SI.
Tom Brady Is Setting A New Tone For The Las Vegas Raiders
“What I was talking to Tom about, this is something he said, and this is true: We don’t want to celebrate contracts. We want to celebrate wins,” Smith revealed. “And the thing is, that just kind of set the tone for the team. This is our quarterback. This is the direction we’re headed. And there’s no gray area there. Everything’s set in stone. And when you have that, when you can set a real plan, then you can get things going.”
Although bolstering the offensive talent around Smith remains a priority for the Raiders, the offseason acquisition of Pete Carroll as head coach is a crucial addition. While Carroll’s impact may not be immediate, his track record suggests he can instill a winning culture and help the franchise shed some of its losing habits.
This reunion with Carroll, with whom Smith developed a strong rapport in Seattle, is something Brady, with his own experience of successful quarterback-coach relationships, likely understands well.
Despite potential options for younger quarterbacks, Smith appears to fit the Raiders’ immediate needs. The team requires a leader who can bring much-needed consistency to the quarterback position, a role that saw Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder all take snaps last season.
Smith offers the potential to be a significant “win-now” piece for the Raiders, but his nearly $90 million contract extension suggests a longer-term commitment from the franchise. Reflecting on his decision, Smith stated, “As far as the contract, I’m very grateful, very thankful, very appreciative. 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.”
Having arguably the greatest quarterback of all time express confidence in Smith’s ability to set the tone for the team must be a significant boost. However, as both Brady and Smith emphasized, the ultimate measure of success will be reflected in wins, not just contracts. After a disappointing four-win season, the Raiders are undoubtedly hoping that the Brady-endorsed leadership of Geno Smith, coupled with the return of Pete Carroll, can guide them back to consistent winning ways.