Pete Carroll has made one thing clear since taking over as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders: it’s winning time.
Not a steady improvement on the heels of a four-win campaign this past year, either; the only goal the 73-year-old has is battling in February for the right to lift the Lombardi Trophy.
“We’re trying to take this as far as you can possibly take it,” Carroll echoed at the conclusion of Sin City’s offseason program.
“It’s the only perspective that they have heard from me, and that’s the only one I can even imagine. I can’t even think of any way else.”
Whether with the Seattle Seahawks or the Silver and Black, Carroll simply doesn’t believe in wasting any amount of time when it comes to winning. But actions speak louder than words, and Carroll’s actions make that crystal clear.
During his first year as head coach of the Seahawks, Carroll and general manager John Schneider processed a record-breaking 284 roster transactions. This led the Seahawks to winning the NFC West division in 2010 after finishing with a 5-11 record the year prior to Carroll’s arrival.
Three years later, Seattle’s football team found themselves celebrating a Super Bowl victory, followed by a second Super Bowl appearance immediately afterwards.
That’s exactly what Carroll is hoping to achieve with the Raiders, in the same fashion.
Of the 22 primary offensive and defensive starters combined, about 10 will be spending their first year in Las Vegas–a more definitive number to come once training camp wraps up.
That includes Pro Bowl quarterback Geno Smith and college superstar running back Ashton Jeanty, both who will certainly be focal points of the team’s offense in 2025, as well as all three of the team’s top-three linebackers on the depth chart this past season.
Taking one last dip into the free agency pond
Plenty of work has already been done to Sin City’s roster since the arrival of Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek. All the same, if an opportunity presents itself to upgrade the team, it must be taken seriously–that stands true whether we’re in March, April, or July.
Especially when the goal is to win immediately, and there’s $31.25 million left in cap space to help.
And with free agents available who will indefinitely help Carroll and Spytek get where they want to be as quickly as possible.
Helping the Las Vegas Raiders’ roster
Jadeveon Clowney
I don’t expect this one to go over too well with Raider Nation. A run-stopping specialist who provides pass-rush boost, Clowney isn’t too favorable among many fans for his lack of sack production as an edge rusher who was once selected first-overall.
But in truth, Clowney is one heck of a player.
It’s the aforementioned run-stopping ability that’s going to go a long way here. Even at 32 years of age, the 11-year veteran sets the edge notably well. That’s almost invaluable to the Raiders with the way the roster is currently set up.
Jakorian Bennett and Darien Porter are coverage specialists who have the potential to be one heck of a ballhawk duo, but neither fare well against the run. These are two players who struggle to shed blockers and are downright bad tacklers.
Doesn’t sound too good for runs on the outside, right? Especially with Tyree Wilson set to play inside more frequently due to Christian Wilkins‘ reaggravated foot injury.
Ultimately meaning there’s a new opening at EDGE for Clowney to slide into.
Stopping the run has always been a strength of Clowney. Only twice in his 11-year career has he earned a grade against the run south of 69.9 via Pro Football Focus, finishing with a mark of 80-plus during five-of-11 campaigns.
But don’t misunderstand–Clowney offers a ton in pass-rush support, too.
Take his latest campaign for example. Clowney’s 44 pressures and six sacks both ranked first among all players on the Panthers’ roster in 2024. As did his 14.9% win-rate against opposing blockers.
The best part? At this stage in his career, Clowney is no stranger to one-year deals. Five of his last six contracts have been exactly that; no long-term commitment from the Raiders is in order.
One more FA for Pete Carroll, John Spytek
Stephon Gilmore
Yes; a 34-year-old cornerback is a suggested signing here. In fact, I could go on for days about why Stephon Gilmore is a hand-in-glove fit with Pete Carroll and the Las Vegas Raiders.
For starters, Gilmore is what Carroll absolutely loves: a physically dominant alpha. And even in his mid-30’s, the former Defensive Player of the Year is still one heck of a football player.
No player on the entirety of the Minnesota Vikings defense broke up more passes than Gilmore’s total of eight in 2024. And with a surrendered completion percentage of 66.7% this past season, only one cornerback in Minnesota bested Gilmore in this area.
Gilmore’s age may be a turnoff to some fans, but in truth, it’s exactly what the Raiders need in their cornerback room. As of right now, all signs point to the team’s starting cornerback duo being a rookie and a third-year player who’s battled injury. Behind those two is second-year cornerback Decamerion Richardson and 26-year-old Eric Stokes, the latter who stands as the veteran of the group.
Gilmore has the experience and know-how to teach these corners a thing or two about being successful in the National Football League. Best of all, Gilmore has served as the same coverage specialist that Bennett has for the Raiders and Porter did at Iowa State.
Oh–and Gilmore has a fire lit under him.
“I want to play this year,” the veteran made clear this week. “I still love the game, I still can contribute. It just has to be the right place.”
Perhaps that right place is in Las Vegas, where Gilmore can strengthen a questionable secondary and set the youth up for years to come.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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