Pete Carroll Returns to NFL as Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach

2025-01-24

Former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is set to return to the NFL sidelines as the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, according to multiple reports. Carroll, who turns 74 in September, will become the oldest head coach in NFL history, surpassing Romeo Crennel, who was 73 when he last coached in 2020. Carroll has agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders, which includes a team option for a fourth year.

Carroll’s hiring marks a significant move for the Raiders, who are looking to rebuild after a disappointing 4-13 season in 2024. The team has struggled to find stability since relocating to Las Vegas in 2020, cycling through multiple coaches, including Jon Gruden, Rich Bisaccia, Josh McDaniels, and Antonio Pierce. Carroll’s extensive experience and winning pedigree—highlighted by a Super Bowl victory with the Seahawks in 2013 and two national championships at USC—make him a strong candidate to bring stability and a winning culture to the franchise.

The Raiders’ decision to hire Carroll comes after they missed out on other top coaching candidates, including Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who was reportedly their initial target before he took the Chicago Bears job. Carroll’s hiring also aligns with the Raiders’ desire to bring in a veteran coach who can compete in a tough AFC West division, which features coaching heavyweights like Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs), Sean Payton (Denver Broncos), and Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers).

Carroll’s return to the NFL comes after a year away from coaching. Following his departure from the Seahawks in January 2024, Carroll spent the 2024 season in an advisory role with Seattle while also teaching a class at USC. Despite his age, Carroll has expressed enthusiasm for coaching, stating earlier this year that he still feels energized and ready to lead a team.

The Raiders’ quarterback situation remains a key question mark heading into the offseason. The team cycled through three different starters in 2024—Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder—and finished 29th in points scored. With the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and approximately $108 million in salary cap space, the Raiders are well-positioned to address their quarterback needs, potentially through the draft or free agency. There has also been speculation about a potential reunion between Carroll and former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who is set to become a free agent.

Carroll’s hiring also has implications for the NFC West, as the Raiders are scheduled to host the Seahawks in 2026, setting up a potentially intriguing matchup. Meanwhile, the Seahawks, under new head coach Mike Macdonald, will look to move forward after parting ways with Carroll following a 9-8 season in 2023.

In Las Vegas, Carroll will aim to revive a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2002. With his defensive expertise and a roster that includes All-Pro tight end Davante Adams, Carroll will look to rebuild the Raiders into a contender in the AFC. His hiring also reunites him with Tom Brady, who is a minority owner of the Raiders and reportedly played a role in the coaching search.

Carroll’s return to the NFL is a historic moment, as he becomes the third coach in league history to serve as a permanent head coach for four different teams, joining Bill Parcells and Marty Schottenheimer. His leadership will be crucial as the Raiders look to turn the page on a tumultuous period and return to relevance in the NFL.

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