Las Vegas Raiders Part Ways with Veteran Coach Pete Carroll After One Season

The Las Vegas Raiders joined the NFL’s annual coaching purge by dismissing Pete Carroll following the franchise’s worst 3-14 season. The 74-year-old coach’s three-year tenure ended abruptly after just a year, marking the team’s third leadership change since 2023.

Carroll’s reunion with quarterback Geno Smith, whom he previously coached in Seattle, backfired, with Smith throwing a league-high 17 interceptions despite his $85.5 million extension. The Raiders’ midseason losing streak of 10 games negated Carroll’s preseason vow to bring his trademark double-digit victories to Las Vegas, culminating in the inevitable sack.

הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם

‏‎פוסט משותף על ידי ‏‎Las Vegas Raiders‎‏ (@‏‎raiders‎‏)‎‏

Leadership Issues

The Raiders’ dismissal of two-time Super Bowl champion Pete Carroll, whose Lombardi Trophy and five NFC West titles with Seattle once defined his legacy, leaves the franchise in turbulent waters.

While General Manager John Spytek retains his position, his remarks underscore turmoil. “The accountability should start and stop with me,” he stated, shouldering blame for the 3-14 collapse.

A silver lining emerges for the team through the No. 1 draft pick, with Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza positioned as the presumed team quarterback. The franchise’s leadership trio, Mark Davis, Tom Brady, and Spytek, now face pressure to pick Carroll’s successor. Davis confirmed Spytek will collaborate with seven-time Super Bowl champion Brady in the coaching search.

Faulty Foundation

Las Vegas’ season fell apart despite early promise, collapsing into a 10-game skid after a strong 2-4 start. While rookie rusher Ashton Jeanty flashed potential behind a faltering offensive line, turmoil hit core players. Edge star Maxx Crosby’s future hangs in doubt following his reported “vehement” opposition to being benched in Week 17, sparking trade rumors ahead of his knee surgery.

The $106.5 million defender now reevaluates his commitment amid organizational chaos that saw coordinators Chip Kelly and Tom McMahon fired midseason. NFL Network sources cited a “lack of cohesion in the coaching offices” as QB Smith imploded with the league’s worst interception.

NFL’s Firing Wave

The Raiders will have their sixth coach search since 2021, mirroring league-wide turmoil as five organizations axed coaches once the season wrapped. The team’s young players (Bowers, Jeanty, Mayer) and prime-aged Crosby offer rebuilding blocks, though resolving leadership remains the focus.