Chip Kelly Sees Untapped Potential in Geno Smith — Could This Be the Quarterback’s Breakout Season?

It’s been a whirlwind at quarterback for the Raiders the last few seasons—seven starters, countless shifts, and no real settled leader under center. Enter Geno Smith. The offseason trade that brought Geno from Seattle feels like a breath of fresh air for a franchise desperate for some steadiness post-Derek Carr. And honestly? He’s not just another name on the roster. Chip Kelly, the offensive guru, speaks highly of Geno’s intellect and leadership, calling him “like a second coach,” a testament to Smith’s deep football savvy and work ethic. Their nightly chats about play-calling and strategy paint a picture of a QB who’s not just playing the game but living it. After bouncing around the league—from a Jets pick to backup gigs and a career revival in Seattle—Smith’s journey is one of grit and resilience. This is a guy who’s faced doubts and setbacks but kept proving his worth every single snap. It’s more than football; it’s about character and transformation. Raiders fans might just have found their steady hand at last. LEARN MORE

“He’s great. Geno is literally like a second coach,” offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said, via Ryan McFadden of ESPN. “When you’re in that room with him and [quarterbacks coach] Greg Olson, there [are] a lot of ideas going around.Smith calls Kelly in the evening after practice to discuss the day’s work, and Kelly picks Smith’s brain about how Smith’s former offensive coordinators, Shane Waldron and Ryan Grubb, might handle certain situations or call plays.“His football acumen is really off the charts, and it’s impressive to be around him.”The Raiders have had seven quarterbacks the past three seasons. Geno Smith, the team’s new starter, arguably is better than any of them.“There’s not a lot of guys that have shown that resiliency,” Kelly said. “He can be so relatable to everybody, because he’s kind of lived that life. He’s been a high draft pick, [but] he’s also been a guy that has been told that a team doesn’t want him.

He completed 68.5 percent of his pass attempts for 12,961 yards, 76 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in 54 games in Seattle.“The fact that he’s done it and come out to be the way he is now is a testament to him. He’s special.”Smith has seen a lot in his career. He went from getting drafted by the Jets in the second round in 2013 to stints as a backup with the Giants, Chargers and Seahawks before finally getting a second chance when Seattle traded Russell Wilson to the Broncos in 2022.The Raiders acquired Smith in a trade with the Seahawks in March, providing the team some stability they haven’t had at the position since Derek Carr left after the 2022 season.