Geno Smith’s Seattle Homecoming Sparks Renewed Motivation for Pete Carroll in Preseason Week 1

As the NFL preseason gets underway, the focus for the Las Vegas Raiders' Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks isn’t just about the game—it’s about the emotional homecoming for quarterback Geno Smith and the renewed motivation it’s giving head coach Pete Carroll.

For Geno Smith, returning to Seattle is deeply personal. After an impressive 2024 season where he led the Seahawks to a playoff appearance, Smith is more determined than ever to prove his worth, this time with the Raiders. “Seattle gave me a chance when no one else would. Coming back here, seeing all the support, it really fires me up to give my best,” Smith said during a press conference ahead of the game. “But this season, I’m focused on helping the Raiders make their own mark.”

While Smith is looking forward to the challenge, it’s his former coach, Pete Carroll, who’s feeling a renewed sense of drive thanks to his quarterback’s return to Seattle. Carroll, who spent years with the Seahawks and helped Smith rediscover his form, expressed his pride in his former player’s growth. “Geno’s journey has been inspiring,” Carroll stated. “Watching him take on the leadership role in Seattle, and now seeing him face us with a different team, it lights a fire inside me. It makes me want to compete at the highest level with my new team, and that energy is what we need.”

Carroll, known for his high-energy coaching style, has always thrived on competition. Seeing Smith’s return to his old stomping grounds has reignited his passion, fueling his desire to prove that he’s capable of continuing his success with the Raiders. For Carroll, the matchup against his former team will be more than just another preseason game—it’s a chance to demonstrate that his leadership can thrive in a new environment.

As the Raiders prepare for their preseason opener, the return of Geno Smith to Seattle has become the perfect motivation for Pete Carroll, a reminder of the past and an opportunity to continue growing in a new chapter with the Raiders. The stage is set for an emotional, high-energy game that will set the tone for both teams in the upcoming season.