Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Why Pete Carroll Did Not Have A Problem With Geno Smith’s Obscene Gesture Towards Fan

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

It may only have been the first week of preseason, but that does not mean that there was any shortage of excitement as football season is well and truly back. After months of waiting, anticipation for the new season is almost over, and that means there is plenty of excitement both on and off the field.

Over the past four days, we had a full slate of 32 teams playing 16 games, and as most of the backups went about taking care of their business, some starters also made cameo appearances for their respective teams. But there was one incident in the Seahawks and Raiders game that caught everyone’s eye.

Geno Smith Angered by Seahawks Fan

The Las Vegas Raiders took on the Seattle Seahawks in one of the preseason week 1 matchups. The quarterback-head coach duo of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll made their return to Lumen Field for the game against their former team.

While the game itself ended in a 23-23 draw, it was the incident between Smith and a Seahawks fan that had many people talking. Smith was seen making an obscene gesture towards the fan who held up a disgraceful sign in the stands, insulting the current Raiders’ signal caller.

The sign read “Bigger bust – Geno or JaMarcus Russell?”

Pete Carroll has his QB's back 💯

(via @Raiders) pic.twitter.com/c179r23hv6
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 10, 2025

Although provoking the player was certainly not a good move on the part of the Seahawks’ fan, Smith’s actions are likely to see him being fined a substantial amount. However, Raiders’ new head coach Pete Carroll seemed perfectly fine with the way his quarterback handled the situation.

Carroll Backs his Quarterback

Not everyone will see Smith’s actions as being in the wrong, and the strongest support he has is that of his head coach. When asked during a media session about Geno Smith making an obscene gesture directed toward a fan, coach Carroll did not hesitate in backing his player. In fact, the 73-year-old coach was even seen trying to snatch the sign from the fan himself.

In a very subtle yet conclusive manner, Carroll made it clear that he will not stand for nonsense against any of his players, and that is probably the most important reason why he has such a strong bond with all the players. Carroll’s short yet definitive reply was:

“Did you see what the sign said? Next question!”

#Raiders HC Pete Carroll defended Geno Smith when asked about him giving the double bird to a fan in Seattle on Thursday night.

(via @nickwalt)

pic.twitter.com/NLBUjDQnmJ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 10, 2025

The sign was disrespectful to both Smith and JaMarcus Russell, but particularly to the former, who has managed to revive his career over the past few seasons.

Russell, who played for the then-Oakland Raiders, was the number 1 overall pick from the 2007 NFL draft and managed to play only three seasons in the league. His 4,083 passing yards included just 18 touchdowns. However, he had an average completion percentage of just 52.1% with 23 interceptions.

By comparison, Smith has played 11 seasons in the NFL and has over 19,000 passing yards, with a little over 12,000 of those coming in the last three seasons. He has 105 touchdowns and 72 interceptions, and holds a 64.8% completion percentage.

New #Raiders QB Geno Smith received a well-deserved ovation from #Seahawks’ fans in Seattle.

Aside from his play on the field, Smith contributed a ton toward local communities and will forever be a beloved figure in the PNW.

(📹 @Raiders) pic.twitter.com/8R1jEI7xE9
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 8, 2025

The Raiders’ show of unity led by the head coach is a great sign for Vegas fans. But, as part of the tough AFC West division, they will have to keep the intensity on the field more than off the field. The Chiefs, Broncos, and Chargers are all currently far superior to the Raiders, but can Vegas turn things around this year?

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Geno Smith

Las vegas Raiders

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Devavrat Kulkarni

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I am a content writer for the NFL team, and joined The Playoffs after working with Sportskeeda and NFL Analysis as an NFL writer. After starting my professional career as a French-to-English translator, working as a content writer is a new adventure for me. I started out in the sports media field for two main reasons: my love for sports in general, especially the NFL, NBA, and Tennis, as well as my passion for writing. The best part of this job is that I get to write a variety of pieces with the freedom to explore content from various angles. It also enables me to stay up to date with the sporting world, which otherwise can be difficult to do in the day-to-day grind. In a world full of chaos, sports unite and entertain like nothing else!