Pete Carroll Takes Blame for Geno Smith's Raiders Struggles, Predicts Jets Rebound

In a candid reflection on a tumultuous NFL season, former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll has publicly shouldered the blame for quarterback Geno Smith's significant struggles during the 2025 campaign. Speaking to ESPN in his first interview since his dismissal, Carroll provided a detailed account of the factors that derailed their reunion and expressed unwavering belief in Smith's ability to resurrect his career with the New York Jets.

The Failed Reunion in Las Vegas

Carroll, who developed a close bond with Smith during their successful tenure with the Seattle Seahawks from 2019 to 2023, orchestrated a trade to reunite with the quarterback in Las Vegas in 2025. The move was intended to rekindle the productivity they had found in the Pacific Northwest, where Smith passed for over 4,200 yards in multiple seasons as a starter. "I had to chuckle a little bit because of the history and all," Carroll admitted regarding Smith's subsequent trade to the Jets, acknowledging the cyclical nature of NFL careers. However, the Raiders' experiment quickly unraveled, resulting in a dismal 3-14 record and Carroll's termination.

Carroll's Mea Culpa

The coach was unequivocal in accepting responsibility for the offensive collapse. "We should've coached him better," Carroll stated bluntly. He elaborated that despite a promising offseason and a strong Week 1 performance where Smith threw for 362 yards in a win over New England, the team's preparation proved insufficient. "We didn't do well enough, coaching. We should've had him better prepared for the things that happened... I take a lot of responsibility in that. We didn't prepare him well enough in the offseason even though he looked great and we felt we had everything lined up." This lack of preparedness, according to Carroll, placed Smith "behind the eight ball right from the beginning," leading to mounting criticism and pressure.

Systemic Failures and On-Field Struggles

Carroll pinpointed two critical, interconnected failures that doomed Smith's season: inadequate pass protection and subsequent poor decision-making. The Raiders' offensive line was overwhelmed, resulting in Smith being sacked 55 times—a league-high figure that Carroll attributed directly to the team's inability to upgrade its personnel. "We got killed, we got killed," Carroll lamented. "Our offensive guys up front, from the last couple of years, we got murdered. We needed to upgrade that more than we did. It didn't happen in the draft, and it didn't happen in the offseason." This constant pressure forced Smith into risky throws, contributing to his 17 interceptions, which also led the NFL.

The Personal Toll and a Fractured Relationship

The season's frustrations culminated in a visible breaking point for Smith, who flipped off Raiders fans while exiting the field after a late-season loss—an incident Carroll alluded to as Smith being "captured." Despite this, Carroll's admiration for the quarterback remained intact. "I love talking about G," Carroll said. "I think I see him differently than a lot of people see him. I love him and appreciate him differently." Smith reciprocated this respect in his own comments, telling Josina Anderson, "That man is special -- a Hall of Fame coach and Hall of Fame person, through and through. I wanted to win a Super Bowl for him because that's how much he means to me. It didn't work out the way we envisioned."

Confidence in a Jets Revival

Looking ahead, Carroll is a vocal advocate for Smith's potential success with the Jets, the team that originally drafted him in 2013. "If he figured out [New York] was a good place for him and he wanted to do it, and he was part of the decision, then I couldn't support him more," Carroll affirmed. His confidence stems from his firsthand observation of Smith's character and work ethic during their years together in Seattle, where Smith served as a backup. "I fell in love with him during his three seasons as the backup to Russell Wilson, citing his work ethic and competitiveness," Carroll explained.

Carroll believes the change of scenery and system will allow Smith's true abilities to resurface, predicting he "will rebound from last season and will surprise people." This second act in New York offers Smith a chance to rewrite the final chapters of his career, moving past the struggles in Las Vegas and his earlier, injury-marred tenure with the Jets over a decade ago.

Conclusion: A Lesson in Accountability and Belief

Pete Carroll's interview provides a rare glimpse of coaching accountability at the NFL level. Rather than attributing failure solely to player performance, he highlighted organizational shortcomings in coaching strategy and roster construction. His steadfast belief in Geno Smith underscores the deep personal connections that form within the league, transcending wins and losses. As Smith embarks on his journey with the Jets, he carries not only the lessons from a difficult season but also the public endorsement of a coach who still considers him a "phenomenal quarterback." The NFL world will be watching to see if this vote of confidence translates into a successful career resurgence in New York.