Overview

• In an ESPN interview before Monday night’s game, Smith said “Vegas is perfect for me” and that he didn’t fit the Seahawks’ culture.
• He said he felt cast as Russell Wilson’s replacement and never believed the Seahawks were truly his team.
• Smith described his outspoken competitiveness as rubbing some front-office members the wrong way and referenced Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as models.
• He said he asked about a new contract before the 2024 season and received no clear answer, which reinforced doubts about his long-term future in Seattle.
• He anticipated Pete Carroll would pursue him after taking the Raiders job, and Las Vegas traded for him after exploring Matthew Stafford, with CBS reporting his new deal averages about $12 million more per year than his Seattle pay.