Las Vegas Raiders Hire Pete Carroll, Prepare 2025 Rebuild

The Las Vegas Raiders have undergone significant changes in the 2025 offseason, highlighted by the hiring of veteran head coach Pete Carroll, who is expected to bring a much-needed culture shift and leadership to the team. Carroll, ranked 17th among NFL coaches by CBS Sports, has reunited with quarterback Geno Smith, a key acquisition expected to stabilize the Raiders' offense after years of inconsistency. Alongside Smith, rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, a top-six draft pick, is seen as a vital contributor to revitalizing the Raiders' historically poor rushing attack. Tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer are also poised to play pivotal roles in the passing game, with Bowers already recognized as one of the best at his position and Mayer expected to emerge as a significant offensive threat. On defense, the health and performance of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins are crucial for the Raiders’ playoff ambitions, as he missed most of 2024 due to injury but remains a potentially dominant force when fully recovered. The quarterback room has been trimmed with the release of Carter Bradley, leaving Geno Smith and Aidan O’Connell as the main contenders, while the team prepares for training camp under Carroll's leadership to build chemistry and compete for a postseason berth.