The Raiders brought in a new regime to guide their franchise in 2025, but unless the team somehow wins their final two games of the season, they’ll finish with their worst showing since the 2014 campaign. Considering the dismal on-field product, there have been some natural rumblings about Pete Carroll‘s job security. If the head coach has his way, he’ll be sticking in Las Vegas for the 2026 season.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the 74-year-old isn’t planning to retire. Instead, Carroll is “intent on convincing” owner Mark Davis that he should keep his job.
Rapoport and Pelissero detail the various issues the Raiders have dealt with in 2025. On the coaching staff, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon were both canned. On the field, Geno Smith has tossed 14 interceptions after being acquired this offseason for a third-round pick. Meanwhile, sixth-overall pick Ashton Jeanty has been one of the least efficient RBs in the NFL, compiling 828 rushing yards on 224 carries. Individually, none of these issues are a direct indictment of Carroll. However, when combined, you can make a strong argument that the organization already requires a change.
Plus, as Rapoport and Pelissero note, Carroll wasn’t even the organization’s top choice to lead the squad. Tom Brady helped guide the search and landed his desired GM in John Spytek. However, the iconic QB saw his HC target, Ben Johnson, opt for the Bears gig. Both NFL Network reporters believe Brady will “increase his presence” this offseason as the team faces some crucial decisions.
Davis will ultimately have the final say, and the owner isn’t afraid to pull the plug if things aren’t working out. The Raiders have famously shuffled through coaches, as the team has employed five different head coaches (including interim HCs) over the past five years.
If Carroll is ultimately ousted, it will be a disappointing development for the former Super Bowl winner. His long stint in Seattle unceremoniously ended in 2023, but even then, the Seahawks never bottomed out, as Carroll still guided the team to a 9-8 record during his final season at the helm. Carroll has the track record of developing competitive squads, so perhaps the Raiders will give their head coach another season to right the ship. If not, the front office will be seeking yet another individual to lead their roster.
Just tell the guy who looks like Curly got Shemp’s haircut that the problem wasn’t you, it was the players and the other coaches.
He’s clearly been sold on dubious concepts before.
The problem w/ bottom feeder franchises, they can’t admit or understand what the term ‘rebuild’ is. LV should trade back & collect picks for this offseason & next.
Maybe they should extend Geno Smiths contract an extra few years too
Things are really working out in the desert
Is there a coach anywhere in the universe who could have done better with this dumpster fire franchise? Give Pete another year. At this point, what can it hurt?
Ehhh, whomever got the job would have been in trouble, but Carroll’s also made some bad decisions directly attributable to him. Chief amongst these is his hiring of his sons to coaching positions that have really been bad. On top of that, Carroll’s meddling in the offense to his sons’ styles sabotaged an already struggling unit. Kelly might have been disappointing on his own, but if you hire a coordinator to be hands on with a large pedigree and a huge salary, you should let him run his offense. Carroll’s not helped the Raiders, regardless of the roster.
I’m actually not saying that he 100% needs to be fired (because that essentially wastes the whole year on another reset), but if he is fired, he definitely contributed to his own departure.