“I think he fits perfect,” Reich said. “I’ve liked Geno from Day 1. When he was coming out of West Virginia I had a high grade on Geno. I’d not met Geno before here and I’m kind of glad because I’m even more impressed with him now meeting him in person. I feel his resilience, his toughness, I always think the No. 1 attribute in any quarterback that you need, especially if you want to come and turn something around, is you need someone who’s tough. I mean tough mentally, tough physically, and I feel that from Geno on every front.”
Smith started 15 games for the Raiders last season, connecting on 67.4% of his throws for 3,035 yards with 19 TDs and 17 INTs. Prior to joining the Raiders, Smith set single-season career-highs and Seahawks franchise records in 2024 for attempts (578, t-fourth in the NFL), completions (407, t-second in the NFL), yards (4,320, fourth in the NFL) and completion percentage (70.4%, fifth in the NFL). He had 10 games with above a 70.0% completion percentage.
“I think his experience, the ups and downs that he’s been through, and he’s had great success, and had to deal with some tough seasons,” Reich said of Smith. “And if you play in this league long enough, everyone’s going to face that. And if you are the person, if you’re the right kind of leader, then you come out of it better, and I think that’s the version of Geno Smith we’re getting. We’re getting the best version of who he is and I think his best football is ahead of him.”