Geno Smith is heading back to where his NFL career began.
And despite his rough season in Las Vegas, Pete Carroll believes the veteran quarterback is about to bounce back with the New York Jets.

Pete Carroll Says Geno Smith Will ‘Rebound’ With the Jets

After a difficult 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, Geno Smith has been traded to the New York Jets, returning to the team that originally drafted him in 2013.

Smith was dealt in a late-round pick swap, giving him a fresh opportunity with a Jets team that has significantly improved its roster.

And former Raiders head coach Pete Carroll believes the veteran quarterback is ready to prove doubters wrong.

Carroll Takes Responsibility for Smith’s Struggles

Smith’s lone season with the Raiders did not go as planned.

Las Vegas finished with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, and Smith led the NFL in interceptions during the season.

However, Carroll says much of the blame falls on the coaching staff rather than the quarterback.

“He’s a phenomenal quarterback,” Carroll said.
“We should’ve had him better prepared for the things that happened.”

Carroll admitted the Raiders failed to properly build the roster around Smith and didn’t give him enough support.

Offensive Line Was a Major Problem

According to Carroll, one of the biggest issues in Las Vegas was the lack of protection for Smith.

He said the team should have invested more heavily in the offensive line.

“We needed to buy a new line to give the guys a chance to be more competitive,” Carroll explained.

Without that protection, the offense struggled to find consistency throughout the season.

Jets Provide a Better Situation

Smith’s return to New York comes under much different circumstances than his first stint with the team.

The Jets now feature a stronger supporting cast, including:

• Garrett Wilson at wide receiver
• Breece Hall at running back
• An offensive line ranked 15th in pass blocking in 2025

Those upgrades could give Smith a far better chance to succeed.

Jets Also Upgrading Their Defense

New York has been aggressive in free agency as well, adding several veteran defenders.

Recent additions include:

• Minkah Fitzpatrick
• Demario Davis
• Joseph Ossai
• David Onyemata
• Kingsley Enagbare
• Dane Belton
• Nahshon Wright

With improvements on both sides of the ball, the Jets hope to become competitive again in 2026.

Carroll Still Believes in Smith

Despite the struggles in Las Vegas, Carroll remains confident in Smith’s ability.

He said he initially laughed when he heard Smith was returning to the Jets because of the quarterback’s complicated history with the team.

But ultimately, Carroll fully supports the move.

“I love the guy and want the very best for him,” Carroll said.
“He deserves it.”

A Full-Circle Moment

Smith’s return to New York creates a rare full-circle moment in his career.

He entered the NFL with the Jets more than a decade ago, and now he gets another chance to lead the franchise.

If Carroll is right, the veteran quarterback could be one of the biggest comeback stories of the 2026 season.