Raiders fire Pete Carroll after one season as Tom Brady helps lead new head coaching search | NFL News
The Las Vegas Raiders’ latest experiment is officially over and it didn’t even make it past Year 1. On Monday, the team fired head coach Pete Carroll after a brutal season that ended with the worst record in the NFL. Carroll had signed a three-year deal just one year ago, but after a 3–14 finish and mounting internal issues, the Raiders pulled the plug early. Now, Las Vegas is once again back at square one, searching for answers and a new head coach.
Why the Raiders hired Pete Carroll in the first place and what they expected from him
When the Raiders brought in Pete Carroll last offseason, the move was framed as a culture reset. Carroll came with a Super Bowl ring, decades of experience, and a reputation for building strong locker rooms. The idea was simple, stabilize the franchise, bring credibility, and set the foundation for a long-term rebuild.Instead, the season spiraled almost immediately. The Raiders never found an identity, never built momentum, and never looked competitive for long stretches. What was supposed to be a steadying presence turned into yet another short-lived era.The numbers tell the story and it’s not a pretty one.Las Vegas finished 3–14, dead last in the NFL. The offense ranked at or near the bottom of the league in points scored, yards gained, and third-down efficiency. Week after week, the Raiders struggled to move the ball, protect the quarterback, or finish drives.The defense wasn’t much better. Missed tackles, blown coverages, and late-game collapses became a regular theme. At one point, the Raiders lost 10 straight games, effectively ending any hope of salvaging the season before December even arrived.For a coach hired to bring stability, the results were impossible to defend.One of the biggest offseason decisions under Carroll was handing the offense to Geno Smith, who was expected to provide veteran steadiness. Instead, the move completely backfired.Smith finished the season with more interceptions than the Raiders could afford, repeatedly putting the defense in bad spots. The offense lacked rhythm, explosiveness, and confidence and it showed every Sunday.Things got so bad that Carroll fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly midseason, a move that signaled panic more than progress. Special teams staff changes followed, making it clear the coaching staff was scrambling rather than building.
Why the Raiders didn’t wait despite Carroll’s multi-year contract
Firing a coach one year into a three-year deal isn’t ideal but the Raiders felt they had no choice.Ownership reportedly saw no upward trajectory, no clear plan, and no reason to believe Year 2 would look any different. With the locker room slipping, fan frustration growing, and national embarrassment mounting, the organization opted for a full reset rather than delaying the inevitable.The firing also signals a shift in power inside the Raiders’ front office. Minority owner Tom Brady is expected to play a major role in the upcoming head coaching search alongside GM John Spytek.The next hire will likely focus on a younger, offensive-minded coach who can grow with the roster, especially with the Raiders holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That pick changes everything and gives Las Vegas a rare opportunity to align a new quarterback with a new coach from Day 1.Also read – “Someone check on Mark Gastineau”: Fans react as Myles Garrett breaks NFL single-season sack record
