Pete Carroll defends Geno Smith after Raiders QB flips off fan in Seattle return

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.

“Did you see what the sign said?” Carroll said in a media session, according to Yahoo Sports.

When a reporter replied they had seen the sign, Carroll — who coached Smith for five years in Seattle — responded, “Next question.”

Upon running out of the tunnels at Lumen Field before the start of Las Vegas’ preseason opener, Smith — who spent six seasons in Seattle before being traded to the Raiders in March, two months after Carroll signed on with the team — was greeted by one fan who held up a sign that read, “Bigger bust — Geno or JaMarcus Russell.”

Smith, 34, and teammate Maxx Crosby responded to the dig by making obscene gestures toward the stands, with footage of the scene naturally making the rounds on social media.