Pete Carroll Joins Las Vegas Raiders as New Head Coach

2025-01-24

The Las Vegas Raiders have hired Pete Carroll as their new head coach, marking a significant shift in leadership for the franchise. Carroll, 73, agreed to a three-year deal with a team option for a fourth year, making him the oldest head coaching hire in NFL history. The move comes after the Raiders fired first-time head coach Antonio Pierce following a disappointing 4-13 season in 2024.

Carroll, a Super Bowl-winning coach with the Seattle Seahawks, brings a wealth of experience to a Raiders team in need of stability and a cultural reset. His resume includes 14 seasons with the Seahawks, where he led the team to a Super Bowl XLVIII victory and two NFC championships. Carroll also has a history of success at the collegiate level, having won two national championships with USC.

The hiring of Carroll is seen as a strategic move by the Raiders, who are looking to compete in a highly competitive AFC West division that features coaching heavyweights like Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs), Sean Payton (Denver Broncos), and Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers). Carroll’s defensive expertise and ability to rebuild teams could prove crucial as the Raiders aim to turn around their fortunes.

One of the immediate challenges for Carroll will be addressing the Raiders’ quarterback situation. Speculation has arisen about a potential reunion with former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who is set to become a free agent. Wilson, who played under Carroll in Seattle, has reportedly mended fences with his former coach and could serve as a stopgap solution while the Raiders develop a long-term answer at the position.

The Raiders also hold the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, giving them an opportunity to select a franchise quarterback or trade up for a top prospect. Additionally, the team has over $108 million in salary cap space, providing flexibility to make significant roster improvements.

Carroll’s hiring has been met with positive reactions from analysts, who view him as a stabilizing force for a franchise that has struggled to find consistent success in recent years. With a proven track record of building strong cultures and developing talent, Carroll’s leadership could be the catalyst the Raiders need to return to relevance in the NFL.

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