The Las Vegas Raiders didn’t expect to fix everything in a single season-but even by those modest standards, the Pete Carroll experiment is looking like a misfire. This was always going to be a tricky fit: a veteran coach with a win-now mindset dropped into a franchise that’s clearly in need of a multi-year rebuild.
The result? A season that’s fallen flat, and a partnership that already feels like it’s run its course.
At 74, Carroll still brings the energy and football IQ that made him a legend in Seattle. That’s not the issue.
But this situation in Vegas was never about maximizing a ready-made roster-it’s about tearing down and building from the ground up. And that’s not the kind of project Carroll has shown much appetite for.
Whether it ends with a mutual parting or a straight-up firing, it’s becoming clear that both sides would benefit from moving on.
Let’s be honest: Carroll wasn’t even the Raiders’ top choice last offseason. And that speaks to a larger issue-this organization isn’t in a position to land its top targets, whether we’re talking about head coaches, front office executives, or even free agents. The Raiders' job just doesn’t carry the same cachet it once did, and that’s not changing anytime soon.
The Bigger Problem in Vegas
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently ranked the current and potential head coaching vacancies around the league, and the Raiders came in dead last. That’s not just about the team’s record-it’s about the overall state of the franchise. As Barnwell put it, “We’re back again for another go-around in Las Vegas, where the Raiders enjoy a fervent fan base and zero income tax for potential free agents-and somehow seem further from winning than ever before.”
Barnwell wasn’t alone in thinking this offseason might bring a spark. The additions of Pete Carroll, Chip Kelly, and Geno Smith looked intriguing on paper. But Kelly’s already out, Smith has struggled mightily, and Carroll hasn’t been able to bring any real sense of direction to a team that’s been spinning its wheels for years.
And that’s the crux of it-this team keeps changing faces, but the results stay the same.
A Revolving Door at Head Coach
Mark Davis has cycled through four permanent head coaches in the last nine seasons-Jack Del Rio, Jon Gruden, Josh McDaniels, and Antonio Pierce. Carroll is on track to become the fifth. That kind of turnover makes it nearly impossible to build continuity, let alone a winning culture.
Del Rio, to his credit, did take the Raiders to a 12-4 record and a playoff berth, and there’s still debate about whether he should’ve been let go so quickly. But the rest?
None made a compelling case to stick around. And that’s the reality facing any coach considering this job: even if you do land it, how long will you actually get to make your mark?
The Core Issue: Leadership and Patience
The Raiders’ problems go deeper than the sideline. As Barnwell noted, the franchise’s real path forward involves finding the right head coach and the right talent evaluator-and then giving them the time and space to rebuild the roster through the draft.
That means patience. That means trust.
And that’s where things have consistently broken down under Davis.
This team isn’t just competing with the AFC West. It’s trying to keep up with three division rivals who’ve all shown more organizational stability and long-term planning in recent years.
The Broncos, Chargers, and-of course-the Chiefs are all ahead in that department. Until the Raiders start stacking successful drafts and building from within, they’ll keep falling short.
An Unattractive Job for Coaches with Options
It’s no surprise that last offseason, candidates like Ben Johnson passed on the Raiders. The job might come with bright lights and a passionate fan base, but it also comes with instability and uncertainty. And for coaches who have other suitors-or who want a real shot at building something sustainable-it’s a tough sell.
Unless something changes at the top, the cycle is likely to continue. The Raiders will chase big names, hope for quick fixes, and keep resetting the clock when things don’t click right away. That’s not how you build a winner in today’s NFL.
Where Do the Raiders Go from Here?
If the Carroll era ends after just one season, it’ll be a move rooted in reality, not overreaction. He’s a Hall of Fame-caliber coach who walked into the wrong situation at the wrong time. The Raiders need someone who’s not just willing, but eager, to take on a long-term rebuild-and who’s given the runway to do it right.
Until then, Raider Nation is left with more questions than answers. The passion is still there.
The brand still carries weight. But the direction?
That’s the missing piece. And until that’s figured out, this job will remain one of the toughest sells in football.