You might think Geno Smith came to Sin City because anything’s better than Seattle, at this point… Well, that could be one of the reasons. But it’s more like he followed Pete Carroll to Vegas. “I would call him whenever I got frustrated,” Smith told Sports Illustrated. “He still coached me. And I think that’s what makes him such a special man.” That’s a mixture of nostalgia and the excitement of the next chapter, blended together.

Carroll’s return to the NFL wasn’t just about rebooting a roster. It was about finding his guy, again. And now that Geno’s in the building on a two-year, $75 million deal with $66.5 million guaranteed, the bigger question isn’t just about this season — it’s about what comes next.

Because despite the paycheck, Geno’s contract — like Seattle’s old one — is structured with an easy out. Year-to-year flexibility. Translation: the leash isn’t long. And Carroll knows it. That’s why the Raiders’ decision at No. 37 in the second round is so critical. Basically, a future-QB audition. So far, the short-listed candidates include: Texas’s Quinn Ewers, Louisville’s Tyler Shough, and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe. One of them could be sitting behind Geno this fall. One of them could be leading the huddle by 2026.

Let’s start with Ewers. Carroll has the inside track here thanks to his long-time ties to Steve Sarkisian, who coached Ewers at Texas. The production was strong — 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns — and the intangibles are where Sark really sells it. “Quinn has that drive,” he told Underdog Sports. “He almost translates better to that league.”

Ewers clearly isn’t hiding his admiration for Carroll either. “He’s always talking about, ‘Compete. Compete. Compete.’ I feel like that’s kinda how I already live,” he said on The Rich Eisen Show. But some evaluators remain skeptical. His tape has more flashes than consistency, and durability concerns haven’t gone away.

Milroe, meanwhile, is built like a Madden create-a-player and plays like one, too. He’s not a polished passer, but he’s an instant problem for defenses with his legs. If he falls to No. 37, the Raiders will have to weigh short-term rawness against long-term upside. Problem is, he may not be there. Milroe got the NFL’s green-room invite, and that usually signals first-round interest — or at least a Day 1 trade-up scenario. If Carroll wants to develop him, he might need to be aggressive.

Then there’s Shough — a 26-year-old journeyman who’s been through Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville. He’s had a collarbone and a fibula injury, but he also has a live arm, functional mobility, and more experience than anyone else in this tier. This is where Tom Brady’s presence gets interesting.

The Raiders minority owner has reportedly been in the room for key QB evals, and if there’s a prospect, he can help Carroll and Spytek assess; it’s Shough. Seven years of college ball and three offensive systems later, he might be more NFL-ready than people think.

Here’s a comparison table of the 2024 season stats for Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, and Quinn Ewers:

Pete Carroll’s decision might ultimately hinge on whether the Raiders prioritize succession planning or go full BPA (best player available) in Round 2. The board might push them toward an offensive lineman or DT. But this is Carroll we’re talking about — the same coach who turned a third-rounder into an MVP candidate in Seattle. He’s not afraid to zig. And if the zig leads to Ewers, Shough, or Milroe — that clock on Geno might start ticking louder than anyone realizes.

This means Aidan O’Connell might not have a place in Pete Carroll’s roster

Aidan O’Connell has been the emergency button in Vegas for two straight years. Never the guy in Week 1. Always the guy in Week 18. But that ride might be over. Pete Carroll and new GM John Spytek didn’t exactly offer O’Connell a vote of confidence. They went after Matthew Stafford first. Didn’t land him, then pivoted to Geno Smith and paid him $75 million. That kind of money doesn’t say “quarterback competition.” It says QB1 is set.

So where does that leave O’Connell? On the trade block — if the Raiders can find someone willing to bite. “The Raiders have a mostly new coaching staff led by lead skipper Pete Carroll,” Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton noted. “Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly may want a more athletic quarterback room, which would jeopardize O’Connell’s roster spot.”

And if no trade happens? The Raiders might just move on altogether. Cut bait before camp. Clean slate. That’s what Vic Tafur of The Athletic hinted at — either a Day 3 trade, or a release.

It’s not about what O’Connell hasn’t done. His numbers are respectable: 3,830 yards, 20 touchdowns, 11 picks across 17 starts. Last season? A 63.4% completion rate, 1,612 yards, 8 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 86.7. He held it down — even scored one on the ground. But “solid” might not cut it in a Chip Kelly offense that leans on speed, movement, and off-script creation.

The Raiders are sniffing around younger, more mobile options. Quinn Ewers. Jaxson Dart. Will Howard. They’ve hosted them. They’ve done the homework. And with Pete Carroll in control, it’s not about sentiment. It’s about fit. So, no sugarcoating it — O’Connell’s place on this roster? Hanging by a thread.