The Las Vegas Raiders were at a crossroads a few weeks ago. After a season and a half, they fired Antonio Pierce, who had a record of 9-17 over 26 games. The team would waste no time searching for a new head coach. Many fans hoped for Ben Johnson, but the Raiders’ management was unlikely to pay big for another coach. Las Vegas has had its issues with coaching contracts over the years, to say the least. Take Jon Gruden’s situation, for example.
After Johnson chose to join the Chicago Bears, a surprising name emerged as a possible candidate. Former Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll was thought to be retired from the NFL after stepping down in early 2024. Carroll seemingly had other ideas and was immediately in the Raiders’ coaching race. Soon after, he signed to coach the team.
Carroll started coaching in the mid-1990s with the New York Jets and New England Patriots. In 2001, Carroll took his chance in college, coaching the USC Trojans. During this time, USC won two national championships, had three Heisman trophy winners, and had eight 10-win seasons from 2001 to 2010. Carroll, however, is most known for his time with the Seahawks from 2010-2021. While there, Carroll had 11 winning seasons, reached the postseason 10 times, and made it to three conference championship games.
Most of all, Carroll had one Super Bowl victory with Seattle in 2014. He holds the Seahawks franchise record in regular season wins with 137, and is considered one of the best coaches of the 2010s. The Raiders could benefit from a coach like Carroll to help revitalize a franchise striving to live up to the excitement of Las Vegas. Looking deeper, what exactly does he bring to Sin City?
When Tom Brady became part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, it was evident that the team’s direction would eventually change. After two seasons in the Brady era, Carroll’s hiring was the first step in rebuilding this franchise. Brady and Carroll have developed a good relationship, thanks to their winning experience. Brady is a 7-time Super Bowl champion and perhaps the greatest football player ever, while Carroll, a SB champion himself, is the 13th-winningest coach of all time.
Wherever Carroll went, he transformed “the identity” of each team, resulting in improvement during his tenure.
In his first stint with the Jets in 1994, Carroll improved the teams’ win total by four games. With the Patriots, he took over a team that had just suffered a narrow Super Bowl defeat in 1996 against the Green Bay Packers. While there, Carroll managed to keep them in playoff contention for the next three seasons. At USC, Carroll took over a 6-6 Trojan team in 2001, and quickly turned them into a successful program, starting with an 11-2 record in 2002.
Similarly, Carroll transformed a struggling Seahawks team, leading them to success for over 12 years. Carroll’s credibility and accomplishments will attract any coach, free agent, or college star to want to play in Las Vegas. The Raiders have consistently struggled to win, posting a record of 36-48 since moving to Las Vegas in 2020. For a city known as the “entertainment capital of the world,” the football team has been anything but entertaining. As a result, the Las Vegas fan support is not where it should be. Many who actually attend home games are either new to the Raiders fandom or support the team simply because they are local.
The Raiders need to improve in all areas to attract new fans and retain their existing ones. Hiring someone like Carroll could help foster a winning attitude. His leadership is contagious, and he genuinely cares about his players. Carroll can come in right away and bring a new identity to a franchise that desperately needs it.
Pete Carroll has always been able to adapt to any circumstance as a coach. Whether managing the bright lights of Los Angeles during his USC days or handling the personalities in Seattle, Carroll proved he could effectively lead. This adaptability makes it easy to believe he could control the chaos that the Las Vegas nightlife can bring.
In his introductory press conference, Carroll made it known how he expects to attack his new job. “To me, if we are not having fun during all of this, I am screwing up,” said Carroll. “This game should be fun; everyone here will grow, and we will emphasize the importance of competition. If you do not want to compete, you are in the wrong place, and the players will understand that early on”.
Players like Maxx Crosby are perfect for Carroll, as he is tough, coachable, and a difference-maker. Carroll has been around talented players everywhere he has coached, and has been able to connect with them all. The culture that Carroll promotes is ignited by passion, love for one another, and the importance of growing on and on the field. History shows that Carroll’s top players hit their stride once they started playing for him, so Crosby could take a massive increase in production.
On offense, tight end Brock Bowers is becoming one of the best tight ends in the NFL, giving Carroll a guy to build his offense around. Ultimately, he has a vision for Las Vegas, and this new structure will uplift this franchise.
The Raiders hold the sixth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it is obvious to pinpoint the biggest issue. Aidan O’Connell, Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer, Gardner Minshew, and Desmond Ridder have all called plays for the Raiders in the last two seasons. The results have just not been there. In the last 34 regular-season games, they combined for 39 touchdown passes and 35 interceptions. Going forward, the quarterback position has to be addressed somehow, whether in the NFL Draft or elsewhere.
Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are at the forefront of the 2025 quarterback class. Chances are, both are selected before the Raiders’ sixth pick. If the Raiders miss out on both QBs, they might wait until the later rounds to draft a QB like Jaxon Dart, Dillon Gabriel, or Riley Leonard. An improved running game could be another issue Carroll tries to fix, as he has valued the run game throughout his career.
The Raiders could also go another route and strengthen their defense with guys like Abdul Carter Jr or Will Johnson. Both of whom are considered to be some of the best prospects in the draft. The Raiders have a lot to think about in the next two and a half months.
Striking gold in free agency is also a must, with names like Tee Higgins, Chris Godwin, Najee Harris, and Javon Hargrave set to be FAs.
Recently, Carroll and new general manager John Spytek filled the teams’ offensive coordinator vacancy. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Raiders have hired Chip Kelly to be their offensive coordinator. Kelly was most recently the Ohio State Buckeyes coordinator, helping them to a national championship. Kelly has had great offenses throughout his career in the NFL and college and will bring an extra wrinkle to the team.
Overall Carroll seems eager to get this franchise back to winning. The true Raider Mentality emphasizes hard work, tenacity, and competition. Seemingly, the modern-day Raiders do not fit this mold, but Carroll is the coach capable of changing the team’s landscape.
Will Carroll guide the Raiders to a Super Bowl in 2025? Not likely. What he can do is at least stop the bleeding, get this team on the right track, start winning games, and gain some traction. Since 2015, the Raiders have the 7th worst win total at 72-92. Simply put, the only way is up for the Raiders!
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