Pete Carroll has Geno Smith’s back. The new Raiders coach, 73, defended his quarterback Sunday when asked about Smith’s decision to flip off a Seahawks fan during Thursday’s preseason game, which served as the duo’s Seattle homecoming.

Back in March, quarterback Geno Smith was traded by the Seattle Seahawks to the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting him with coach Pete Carroll. Smith spent six seasons with the Seahawks, five under Carroll, and now the two are set to embark on a new chapter with the Raiders.

Quarterback Geno Smith turned his career around with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022. The franchised traded away Super Bowl-winning passer Russell Wilson and Smith filled his shoes well, making his first Pro Bowl and winning Comeback Player of the Year in his first year with Seattle.