Quarterback Geno Smith turned his career around with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022. The franchised traded away Super Bowl-winning passer Russell Wilson and Smith filled his shoes well, making his first Pro Bowl and winning Comeback Player of the Year in his first year with Seattle.
The Seahawks traded Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. Smith took the field for an NFL game as a Raider for the first time at his former home: Lumen Field in Seattle.
Fans showed Smith appreciation prior to the game. When he exited the tunnel for the game later on, it was a different story. One fan held a sign that read “BIGGER BUST – GENO OR JAMARCUS RUSSELL.”
Smith had a not-safe-for-work response and gestured with both of his middle fingers at the fan.
(Editor’s note: The following photo contains a crude gesture.)
That’s a bit of a curious comparison. Besides both being first-round picks and playing for the Raiders, Smith and Russell have little in common. Smith’s entering his 12th year in the league and has made two Pro Bowls. Russell played three years in the NFL and went 7-18 as a starter.
Smith completed 1 of 3 passes for 15 yards in limited action Thursday night in the 23-23 tie between the Raiders and Seahawks. This is the only time these two teams will play during the preseason or regular season.
Las Vegas is back in action on Aug. 16 against the San Francisco 49ers for the lone home game of the preseason. Seattle faces off against Kansas City on on Aug. 15 at home again.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Geno Smith flips off fan for sign ahead of Raiders-Seahawks
