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.

Pete Carroll and QB Geno Smith gave vastly different responses regarding their return to Seattle this week for the Raiders preseason opener.

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,