The Las Vegas Raiders have finally wrapped up their latest coaching search by bringing in one of the most experienced names in the NFL—Pete Carroll. The former Seattle Seahawks head coach will take over in Las Vegas, marking his return to the NFL after a one-year break.
At 73, Carroll will become the oldest head coach in league history when he steps onto the field in the 2025 season. His leadership and ability to build strong team cultures could be exactly what the Raiders need to regain stability.
With this major move, let’s take a look at the biggest winners and losers from Carroll’s hiring.
Winners of Pete Carroll’s Hiring
1. The Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have struggled to find long-term stability at the head coach position since Jon Gruden stepped down in 2021. Bringing in Carroll, a Super Bowl-winning coach with a proven track record, is a big step in the right direction.
Carroll boasts a career record of 170-120-1 across 18 seasons as an NFL head coach, including a Super Bowl 48 victory with the Seahawks. His ability to establish a strong culture and win consistently could help turn around a Raiders franchise that has only had 11 winning seasons since 1984.
2. Pete Carroll
Carroll didn’t seem ready to retire from coaching when he left Seattle. He expressed his desire to continue coaching in early 2024, and now he gets a fresh opportunity with the Raiders.
Las Vegas presents a unique challenge—rebuilding a team that has been stuck in mediocrity for years. However, Carroll’s enthusiasm and coaching philosophy make him a great fit for this role. Given his experience on the West Coast, this could be an ideal place for him to finish his career.
3. Tom Brady (Raiders Part-Owner)
NFL legend Tom Brady, who became a part-owner of the Raiders in 2024, played a role in the coaching search. Despite initial setbacks, including missing out on Ben Johnson, Brady and the Raiders landed one of the most respected names available in Carroll.
This move helps restore the Raiders’ credibility and shows that Brady’s influence as a part-owner can attract high-profile coaching talent.
4. Russell Wilson (Potential Raiders QB Target)
Could Russell Wilson reunite with Pete Carroll in Las Vegas? Wilson reportedly wanted to join the Raiders in 2024, and with Carroll now in charge, that possibility has become much more realistic.
Despite a rocky end to their time together in Seattle, Wilson and Carroll have since mended their relationship. Wilson even traveled to Seattle in 2024 to celebrate Carroll’s departure, calling him a “father figure.” With the Raiders needing a quarterback, a Wilson-Carroll reunion could be on the horizon.
Losers of Pete Carroll’s Hiring
1. The Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans hold the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and were hoping to trade it to a quarterback-needy team. However, Carroll’s draft history suggests the Raiders may not be interested in trading up for a top quarterback.
During his time in Seattle, Carroll never traded up in the first round and rarely drafted quarterbacks early. If this trend continues, the Titans may have one fewer potential trade partner, reducing their leverage in the draft.
2. 2025 Quarterback Draft Prospects
Carroll’s hiring could also be bad news for quarterback prospects in the upcoming draft. The 2025 draft class is already considered weak at the quarterback position, and if the Raiders choose to go with a veteran like Wilson instead of drafting a young QB, it removes a valuable landing spot for first-round hopefuls.
3. The Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys reportedly reached out to Carroll about their head coaching vacancy but were unsuccessful in luring him to Texas. With other top candidates like Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn also unavailable, the Cowboys are now left with fewer attractive options.
As a result, Brian Schottenheimer has emerged as a leading candidate for Dallas, but his hiring may not excite Cowboys fans as much as landing a proven winner like Carroll would have.
Pete Carroll’s arrival in Las Vegas is a bold move that could reshape the Raiders’ future. His experience, leadership, and culture-building skills make him a strong choice for a franchise that has struggled with coaching stability. While the Raiders, Tom Brady, and even Russell Wilson stand to benefit from this decision, teams like the Titans and Cowboys might not be as thrilled with this development.
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, all eyes will be on Carroll to see if he can turn the Raiders into a contender once again. Will his experience and energy be enough to push Las Vegas back into playoff contention? Time will tell, but this hiring certainly makes things interesting.
