The Las Vegas Raiders didn’t expect to find themselves here - sitting at 2-12 with three games left in the season, staring down a future clouded by uncertainty. From top to bottom, questions loom. And at the center of it all is 74-year-old head coach Pete Carroll, whose tenure with the team now hangs in the balance.
Carroll, one of the most accomplished coaches of his generation, is reportedly pushing to return next season. But whether he gets that shot depends on a decision that rests squarely with team owner Mark Davis.
According to reports, Davis is taking in feedback from across the organization as he weighs the possibility of yet another major change. And if there’s one thing we know about Davis, it’s that he isn’t afraid to shake things up when he feels it’s time.
Adding another layer to the decision-making process is the presence of Raiders minority owner Tom Brady. The seven-time Super Bowl champion has kept a relatively low profile since joining the ownership group last year, but his influence is growing - and it could be felt in a big way as the franchise charts its course forward.
Brady, along with business partner Egon Durban, has already played a key role in shaping the Raiders’ leadership structure. He has a close relationship with general manager John Spytek, a former Michigan teammate, and the two have reportedly leaned on each other throughout the past year. Spytek was Brady’s hand-picked choice for GM, and while Brady’s preferred head coaching candidate - Ben Johnson - ended up in Chicago, the quarterback-turned-owner is expected to become more involved as the Raiders near a critical decision point.
Still, no matter how many voices are in the room, the final call belongs to Davis. And he’s made it clear that he believes he can replicate the success he’s had with the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces - a franchise that’s captured three championships in four years - on the NFL side. That belief, that desire to build a consistent winner, will be the driving force behind whatever move he makes next.
Carroll, for his part, isn’t going quietly. He wants to stay.
And despite a brutal season, his resume still commands respect. He’s a proven leader with a track record of building winning cultures, and he’s not ready to walk away just yet.
But the reality is, this year has been tough. The Raiders have struggled across the board, and while the final few games may not ultimately tip the scales, how the team finishes could still matter. If Carroll’s players continue to fight for him, even with nothing on the line, that effort won’t go unnoticed.
The next few weeks won’t just be about playing out the string - they’ll be about setting the tone for what comes next. And in Las Vegas, where expectations are high and patience is wearing thin, the decisions made this offseason could define the franchise for years to come.