The Raiders fired coach Pete Carroll on Monday after one season, making official what had been expected for weeks. The decision came after owner Mark Davis, minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek met at the team’s Henderson headquarters.
Las Vegas finished 3-14, a regression from the 4-13 record that preceded Carroll’s arrival. The team will now search for its fourth head coach in five years, this time with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft and a clearer power structure led by Brady and Spytek.
“If you don’t play well, your job’s at stake,” offensive lineman Alex Cappa said. “That’s players and coaches. We have to do more to produce better. I appreciate Pete. I learned a lot from Pete. And a lot that I’ll carry with me after this game, I learned from Pete.”
Carroll, 74, was hired in January 2025 with hopes that his track record at USC and Seattle would lift the Raiders. Instead, the team never took hold. Quarterback Geno Smith, handpicked by Carroll, threw an NFL-high 17 interceptions and was sacked a league-high 55 times. The offensive line also regressed, partly due to injuries to left tackle Kolton Miller and right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson.
Beyond on-field struggles, Carroll and Spytek were reportedly not aligned on philosophy. Carroll favored a win-now approach with veterans, while the front office preferred developing younger players. Players, however, remained loyal to Carroll. “He was great for us all year,” wide receiver Tre Tucker said. “I know personally, a great person, very optimistic, high energy. I just give him the utmost respect for staying the same all year.”
The Raiders join the Browns, Cardinals, and Falcons in making a coaching change this cycle. The No. 1 pick and the involvement of Brady and Spytek are expected to be attractive selling points for candidates.
