The Las Vegas Raiders fired coach Pete Carroll after just one season on Monday. Here are some early thoughts on the move:
It had to happen:
During the offseason, the idea of Carroll going one and done in Las
Vegas seemed unfathomable. Yet, as the season unfolded, it also appeared unfathomable for Carroll to come back. His tenure was a complete mess. And it wouldn’t make any sense for the Raiders to bring him back. So, this move had to be made even if it is just another change. This will be the team’s fourth coaching search since 2022. That’s an alarming rate of turnover, but Las Vegas had no choice.
Spotlight on Spytek/Brady:
In the team’s statement, announcing Carroll’s dismissal, the Raiders said general manager John Spytek, hired just days before Carroll was last year, and part owner Tom Brady will lead the search. They need to be on the same page as they start over again.
Pressure is on ownership:
Brady was a big part of the process of hiring Carroll last year after he struck out on Ben Johns0n and Mike Vrabel. There was a lot of excitement about Brady’s involvement, but it hasn’t worked once already and the pre-Brady dysfunction has continued. They most convince stability can happen quickly and the ability of drafting Fernando Mendoza with the No.1 overall pick has to be a selling point.
There needs to be cohesion:
Whoever the hire is most be on the same page with the front office. That was not the case with Carroll and Spytek. There were many examples of the whether it was lack of giving young players playing time until very late in the season, a meddling with Chip Kelly, who reportedly wasn’t a Carroll hire. Everyone needs to be on the same page.
Carroll was always an odd choice:
I never understand the appeal of Carroll, who at 74, was the oldest NFL coach in history. It was a strange fit and his false bravado that started in the offseason always seemed forced. Carroll promised to change the culture, but with yet another coaching change, the culture has been further damaged.
What type of coach will they seek?
Several weeks ago, The Athletic reported a team source said they wasn’t an energetic first-time head coach. But there has also been rumors Brady will go back to the Patriots Way and try to hire Brian Flores as a head coach and pair him with Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator. They were all in New England together. We will here many names discussed in the next few weeks.
Maxx will be watching:
It was my contention when Carroll was hired that if the Raiders were no closer to being a contender by the time Carroll left the team, Maxx Crosby could ask to be traded. Now, after his messy shut down late in the season, that notion hasn’t lessened. Crosby is tired off the constant change and it’s happening again. His patience is clearly warning thin.
