Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll let slip the intentions of franchise figures - including co-owner Tom Brady - over the way the team will use quarterback Geno Smith.
The veteran quarterback arrived at Allegiant Stadium earlier in the NFL offseason, following on from six campaigns with the Seattle Seahawks. The 34-year-old ended his final season in Washington with 4,283 passing yards, with this representing his best single-season showing during his time at Lumen Field.
The star also made history, as he broke the team's all-time records for single-season passing attempts (573) and completions (400). Following on from his heroics in Seattle during that last campaign, he signed a one-year deal with his new employers after forming part of a trade, which saw the Seahawks pick up the 92nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Since then, speculation has abounded over whether Smith will sign an extension, amid rumors that Raiders chiefs are eager to tie him down to a longer stay in Nevada. Now, Las Vegas HC Carroll has addressed the subject at the NFL's Annual League Meeting, as he confirmed the franchise's front office decision-makers are hoping to strike a new deal with their recent recruit.
He confirmed: "We're looking forward to having him and having him for not just this year, but for years to come. When we get everything where it needs to be, he'll be around. I'm confident that'll happen fairly soon.
"Getting Geno was a really important part of this puzzle we're putting together. He has really a rich background, which was really important to me because I know what we can count on," he continued. "A guy that is such a great worker, he's grown so much throughout his career, been through so much and overcome so much."
The coach added of Smith's talent and experience: "I love the way he approaches the game. He's serious, he's competitive. He works his tail off. He's a great leader in that regard. He leads the guys by the way he takes to the game.
"Man, he's talented, really talented," he said, before explaining that the former Seattle ace is in great physical shape after making the move to Nevada. "The guy sat for almost six years, and didn't get the wear and tear. So that's why he moves so well."
Meanwhile, John Spytek, the general manager for the Raiders previously spoke of his delight at being able to welcome Smith to the fold. He said: "It was cool. You're after a quarterback, you're after an established quarterback, you're after a quarterback that the head coach believes in and really wants to get on the roster.
"You don't want to screw it up, but you want to do a really good trade value for the organization. Everything you give draft-wise, money-wise is one less thing that you can do here." Spytek added: "We could take one anywhere, but I feel like we got a guy that can go play football right now," said Spytek. "So, the need and anxiety at that position is not as high as it was a month ago."
