Still chasing that elusive postseason victory, the Las Vegas Raiders are making bold moves in 2025 to change its narrative.
The clearest sign of this shift is the return of veteran head coach Pete Carroll to the sideline and the arrival of quarterback Geno Smith, who’s already signed a multi-year extension before even taking a snap in silver and black.
Analysts see playoff potential in Carroll’s return
NFL analyst and Super Bowl champion Keyshawn Johnson believes this move might be the spark the Raiders have been missing.
Pointing to Carroll’s reputation for rebuilding rosters and elevating individual players, Johnson focused on how the coach helped Smith revitalize his career after joining the Seahawks in 2019.
“I believe! I do believe that Pete is going to run the football, he’s going to play defense, they’ve got a solid defense… I understand the division and the conference and all of that, but I got them knocking on the door of that Wild Card,” Johnson said during a panel discussion on Fox Sports’ SPEAK.
It’s not just Johnson who sees a potential turnaround. Former NFL defensive back and Super Bowl champion Will Blackmon also offered praise for the Raiders’ direction. Speaking on the same panel, Blackmon emphasized Carroll’s focus on mindset and leadership.
“Pete is the guy… He’s all about the mindset…That’s what he did for Russell Wilson… I think what Pete Carroll is going to be able to do here is create that coaching environment where they can have instant success. I’m thinking nine wins for them, which I don’t think is crazy,” said Blackmon.
Carroll’s track record with young and overlooked quarterbacks is already legendary. In 2012, he famously handed the reins to rookie Russell Wilson over free-agent signee Matt Flynn, and the Seahawks didn’t look back.
By the following season, they were Super Bowl champions, riding a dominant defense and ground game-principles that Carroll may now be looking to replicate in Las Vegas.
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