Pete Carroll signs a three-year deal to coach the Raiders, marking his return to the NFL after leaving the Seahawks. A fresh start for a rebuilding team with big plans.
The Las Vegas Raiders are making big moves this offseason. After hiring John Spytek as their new general manager earlier this week, the team has now brought in a seasoned coach to lead the way.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Pete Carroll, the longtime head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, has agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders, which includes a fourth-year team option.
This hire seems to have some influence from Tom Brady, who is now part of the Raiders’ ownership group.
Spytek, the Raiders’ new GM, has a history with Brady, going back to their time at the University of Michigan in 1999 when Spytek was a special teams player during Brady’s senior season.
Spytek also worked in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ front office during Brady’s years there.
Initially, there was speculation that the Raiders might pursue Ben Johnson for the head coaching role, but he ended up taking the job with the Chicago Bears instead.
Carroll’s return to the NFL comes a year after his departure from the Seahawks, which he hinted wasn’t exactly a decision he made willingly.
Reflecting on that time, Carroll said, “I competed pretty hard to be the coach, just so you know. … My intention to return … that was true to the bone. I want to make sure that that’s clear as things have shifted so quickly.”
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Now with the Raiders, Carroll faces a fresh challenge: rebuilding a team coming off a tough 4-13 season.
The good news? The Raiders have a solid foundation to work with, including $94 million in cap space and the No. 6 pick in the upcoming draft.
One of the biggest questions Carroll will need to tackle is the quarterback situation.
Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O’Connell are under contract for 2025, but neither has shown enough to lock in the starting job.
Finding a long-term solution at quarterback will likely be a top priority.
Carroll has experience turning struggling teams around. When he joined the Seahawks in 2009, they were coming off a 5-11 season.
By his fourth year, they were Super Bowl champions. Now, the Raiders hope he can work the same magic in Las Vegas.
The Raiders haven’t seen much postseason success in recent years, making the playoffs only twice since 2003 and not winning a playoff game since January 2003.
With Carroll at the helm and Spytek managing the front office, the team is looking to change that narrative and bring winning football back to Las Vegas.
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