Can the pitifully hapless, dumpster-fire Las Vegas Raiders complete the improbable worst-to-first turnaround in 2026? History says it’s possible, but only if major changes happen first. In Part Two, we examine the man directly responsible for the gameday product.
Out with the old…
Let’s start with respect where it’s due. Pete Carroll is one of only three head coaches to win both a Super Bowl and a national championship. He has been a tremendous leader of men, opening doors for countless players and staff who might never have received an opportunity elsewhere.
I don’t see how Pete Carroll is the Raiders head coach next year.
Not winning and worse than last year.
Not adjusting well to losing and rigid.
Not developing enough talent.
What has he done so far to get the benefit of the doubt?
— Moe Moton (@MoeMoton) November 26, 2025
But it’s over. At 74, Carroll’s timeline no longer aligns with where the Raiders are as an organization or as a roster. This team requires an infusion of youth, depth, and development. However, in its first year, the staff has shown signs of being overwhelmed by this challenge. Decisions appear to be influenced by nepotism rather than competition, leading to outcomes that have been detrimental.
Furthermore, the mantra of “comPETE” hasn’t been lived up to. Throughout the season, questionable personnel choices piled up while better options sat unused. Some players were handed roster spots without earning them, creating an appearance of favoritism and undermining confidence in Carroll’s leadership.
Related: Raiders Finally Hit Rock Bottom vs. The Browns
Who will coach the Raiders next?
What the Raiders need now is clear: a young, offensive-minded head coach with a demonstrated ability to call plays and develop raw talent. Someone innovative enough to tailor a system to a rookie quarterback and grow alongside him. Someone whose vision aligns with general manager John Spytek and ownership. Simply put, the Raiders must identify and hire their next legendary leader.
But that’s where reality intrudes. At the moment, Las Vegas does not offer the stability or support top candidates expect. Organizational backing has been inconsistent, and promises often go unfulfilled. Even basic expectations—such as allowing a head coach to choose his own staff—have not always been guaranteed.
I’m told Tom Brady was a big advocate for bringing in Chip Kelly to run the Raiders’ offense, and has shared with some people close to him his disappointment in the team’s overall performance.
His frustrations go beyond the offense, too.https://t.co/dX978SFjLR pic.twitter.com/GG19v9yBHF
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) November 26, 2025
These challenges jeopardize the upcoming coaching search even before it starts, compelling the Raiders to overpay just to attract candidates’ interest.
Defensive-minded vs. offensive-minded coaching…
Why must the hire be an offensive coach? Because choosing a defensive-minded leader once again requires relying on an offensive coordinator to handle quarterback development—a formula that has repeatedly failed. That approach has contributed to the Raiders’ 19-year streak of avoiding a first-round investment in a franchise quarterback, instead settling for veteran stopgaps who provide diminishing returns.
Quarterback is the most expensive position in the modern NFL, and without a legitimate one, the outcomes speak for themselves. Since Derek Carr’s departure, the results have been unmistakable. The Raiders’ long-running fascination with fairy-tale “bad-to-elite” quarterback arcs simply cannot happen without real offensive structure.
Ironically, the defense has been the better unit in recent years despite minimal investment. With proper talent acquisition, the Raiders can improve defensively in 2026 without overhauling their scheme. The offense, however, demands a visionary.
Draft the franchise quarterback…
The financial strategy is clear: invest in free agency to develop a strong supporting cast and select a franchise quarterback in the draft. A rookie contract for a quarterback provides significant salary cap flexibility, particularly with the option for a fifth year.
The Raiders, however, have spent years paying premium money to washed-up veterans who were promptly released—a self-inflicted drain on resources. Betting on quarterbacks who are “good enough with the right pieces around them” has repeatedly failed. The fan base has grown numb to the annual cycle of backup-caliber veterans being sold as saviors.
Too often, quarterbacks arrive in Las Vegas at the twilight of their careers—gassed up, packaged with empty promises—only to deliver performances that turn dreams into nightmares.
*Top Photo: Associated Press