Seahawks Insider Believes Geno Smith, DK Metcalf Departures Signal ‘Major Questions About the Culture’ in Seattle

The Seattle Seahawks shocked everyone ahead of free agency, agreeing to deals that sent starting quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders and star receiver DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While Seattle’s urgency can partly be attributed to its playoff drought—the team hasn’t won a postseason game since 2019—one insider claims the fire sale raised questions about the team’s culture.

Shocking Geno Smith, DK Metcalf Trades Raise Questions About Seattle Seahawks’ Culture

Metcalf had already requested a trade after six seasons in Seattle, while Smith, now 34, had one year left on his contract. After both stars were dealt within days of each other, Seahawks reporter Corbin K. Smith suggested that while Seattle wanted to keep its quarterback, Smith was more interested in reuniting with Pete Carroll in Las Vegas.

“The more we learn about this Geno Smith trade, it becomes clear that the #Seahawks wanted him, but he wanted to move on. The Pete Carroll effect is real. And from Geno’s view, it’s understandable why he’d want to play for him again. He’s the coach who gave him a second chance,” he wrote.

Smith spent two seasons as Carroll’s starter in Seattle, throwing for 8,159 yards and 51 touchdowns. However, after losing his starting job to Ryan Fitzpatrick in his second season with the Jets, he went six years without a full-time starting role. His 2022 comeback was an incredible turnaround, and now he’ll get another shot with the coach who gave him that opportunity three years ago.

But what does that say about the Seahawks’ culture?

“Also left to wonder if the issues at receiver made Geno Smith think twice about hitching to Seattle on another extended contract. Everything that transpired the past few weeks has created major questions about the culture that the organization once had, IMO,” Corbin continued.

Also left to wonder if the issues at receiver made Geno Smith think twice about hitching to Seattle on another extended contract.

Everything that transpired the past few weeks has created major questions about the culture that the organization once had, IMO.

— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) March 9, 2025

There’s also a possibility that Smith and Metcalf simply weren’t a fit for Seattle’s future, perhaps one reason the Seahawks initially discussed trading them as a package deal.

“You can also make the argument that two players will be gone that weren’t aligning with the culture. Time will tell on that front. All that we do know is that Smith and Metcalf wanted to be elsewhere,” added Smith.

You can also make the argument that two players will be gone that weren't aligning with the culture.

Time will tell on that front.

All that we do know is that Smith and Metcalf wanted to be elsewhere.

— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) March 9, 2025

According to NFL insider Albert Breer, Seattle initially proposed sending both Smith and Metcalf to Las Vegas in exchange for Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby. However, as Breer reported, the Raiders immediately rejected the idea, unwilling to part with their $106.5 million star.

Seattle’s willingness to move on from both Smith and Metcalf is understandable—one had requested a trade, and the other was unlikely to justify the cost of a new contract.

However, trading them is only half the equation. The Seahawks now have a glaring need at quarterback, and general manager John Schneider is under fire following the Smith deal. He’ll hope that news of his attempt to land Crosby is seen as ambition rather than desperation. Either way, he has work to do in the coming months to salvage his reputation, and possibly his job.