The Las Vegas Raiders are a mess. Sitting at a miserable 2-10, they’ve been mathematically booted from the playoff party before the final invitations have even been sent out. Right now, all eyes are on the man with the headset, Pete Carroll, as the scapegoat of a season from hell.
It turns out that bringing in a 74-year-old coach, even one with a Super Bowl ring, might not be the magic bullet for a franchise that seems to be perpetually rebuilding. According to a bombshell report from Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the vibes in the Raiders building are, to put it mildly, not great. There’s a growing sense, both inside and outside the facility, that Carroll’s tenure in Vegas could be a spectacular one-and-done.
Is Tom Brady Pulling the Strings?
Adding another layer to this “Sin City” soap opera is the new minority owner, Tom Brady. When the GOAT buys into your team, expectations skyrocket. Players and staff reportedly thought Brady’s arrival would usher in an era of elite acquisitions, picturing stars like Ben Johnson or Mike Vrabel coaching the team and maybe even Matthew Stafford slinging the rock.
Instead, they got Carroll, who brought his sons along for the ride, and Geno Smith at quarterback, who’s leading the league in interceptions. To make matters worse, Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly was shown the door after just 11 games, reportedly due to clashes with Carroll. It is a dysfunctional family reunion, and the results are playing out disastrously on the field. One player anonymously told Russini, “I really don’t know what the plan is. I don’t think anyone knows.”
The Future For Carroll and the Raiders
So, what happens now? The Raiders are staring down a brutal final stretch of the season, with four of their last five games against teams fighting for a playoff spot. It’s not about to get any easier.
Brady, ever the competitor, is said to be fuming about the state of his new investment. While he hasn’t been a constant physical presence at the facility, his influence is felt. He reportedly vetoed Sam Darnold as a QB option and has his longtime trainer, Alex Guerrero, acting as his “eyes and ears” within the organization.
If the Raiders do decide to part ways with Carroll after just one season, it won’t be a simple reset. As Russini put it, “It’s a reset on the reset.” It is another admission of failure for a franchise that has struggled to find its footing for years. Tom Brady, the player, learned his job over time; it seems Tom Brady the owner might need the same grace period. But for Carroll, time might be running out faster than a Raiders’ three-and-out.
