The 2025 season has been a long, tough grind for the Las Vegas Raiders - and that’s putting it mildly. From inconsistent play on the field to shake-ups on the coaching staff, the Silver and Black have struggled to find any sort of rhythm. The firings of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon were meant to be a course correction, but so far, the results haven’t exactly inspired confidence that the ship is turning around.
Instead, the spotlight has only grown brighter on head coach Pete Carroll - and not just because of his role at the top. With his two sons also serving as assistants on staff, there’s an added layer of scrutiny around the direction this team is heading. And while Carroll has stayed relentlessly upbeat in public appearances, that optimism is starting to wear thin with a fan base hungry for progress.
At his Monday press conference, Carroll was asked about defensive cornerstone Maxx Crosby - a player who’s been one of the few consistent bright spots this season. The question centered on Crosby’s leadership and how his relentless motor sets the tone for the rest of the team. But Carroll’s response veered in a different direction, one that raised more than a few eyebrows.
“That’s the messaging that we try to send through all of our players,” Carroll said. “And he’s a great illustration of what we’re talking about.
But not everybody has the same ability as Maxx. Not everybody is as talented as him.
Maxx has proven that over a long time. And so we need more players that can play close to that kind of level.”
It was an honest answer - maybe too honest. Carroll didn’t name names, and he didn’t directly criticize general manager John Spytek, who received praise earlier this year for his offseason work.
But the implication was clear: the roster lacks enough top-tier talent to compete consistently. Coming from the head coach, that kind of public assessment tends to land with a thud, especially in a locker room already dealing with a lack of identity.
And Carroll didn’t stop there. Later in the same media session, he was asked about rookie tight end Brock Bowers - another standout performer in an otherwise forgettable season. Once again, Carroll circled back to the talent gap.
“[Bowers and Crosby] stand out because they continue to play at a really high level,” he said. “Well, that’s what we’re trying to get, is more guys that can do that, play along with them.”
There’s no denying the truth in what Carroll is saying. Crosby and Bowers have been playing at a different speed than most of their teammates.
But there’s a fine line between calling for better talent and publicly acknowledging that the current group isn’t cutting it. For a team that’s already struggling with confidence and cohesion, hearing the head coach talk about a lack of ability - even indirectly - can be a tough pill to swallow.
It also raises a larger issue. Talent is one part of the equation, but development is the other.
And so far, it’s hard to point to many Raiders players who have taken a significant leap forward under this new regime. Whether it’s young players failing to progress or veterans not living up to expectations, the coaching staff has yet to leave its mark in terms of elevating the roster.
Yes, the Raiders are short on high-end talent. That much is clear.
But they’re also missing something arguably just as important: direction. The team’s identity remains undefined, and the lack of cohesion - both on the sideline and on the field - continues to be a major issue.
That falls on the coaching staff, not just the personnel department.
Pete Carroll has never been one to shy away from telling it like it is. But in this case, the truth might not be what the Raiders need to hear - at least not in front of the cameras.
The challenge now isn’t just finding more Maxx Crosbys or Brock Bowers. It’s about building a system where the rest of the roster can grow, improve, and maybe, just maybe, start playing up to their potential.
Until that happens, the Raiders will keep spinning their wheels - no matter who’s calling the plays.