Pete Carroll’s tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders ended after just one season, with owner Mark Davis announcing his dismissal following a 3–14 finish. Early optimism created by a Week 1 win over the Patriots quickly faded as the Raiders lost 14 of their final 16 games. The collapse left Las Vegas tied for the league’s worst record and in possession of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Leadership Reshuffle and On-Field Collapse Define Raiders’ Direction After Carroll Firing
Along with the coaching change, Davis outlined a shift in the team’s leadership structure. Minority owner Tom Brady will take on a larger role within the organization and serve as a key voice alongside general manager John Spytek in the search for a new head coach. Davis stressed that future decisions will focus on leadership, culture, and alignment with the franchise’s long-term vision.
On the field, the 2025 season was marked by dysfunction across all phases. The Raiders struggled offensively, defensively, and on special teams, prompting Carroll to fire special teams coordinator Tom McMahon and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly during the season. The moves failed to halt the downward spiral, and Carroll was let go shortly after a narrow Week 18 win over the Chiefs that ended a 10-game losing streak.
High Expectations, Roster Flaws, and Timeline Mismatch Doomed Carroll’s Raiders Tenure Quickly
Carroll arrived in Las Vegas with an accomplished résumé and a reputation as a culture builder. One of his first major moves was reuniting with quarterback Geno Smith, who had previously thrived under Carroll in Seattle. Instead, Smith’s play declined significantly as he led the league in interceptions. Injuries, weak offensive line play, and a lack of reliable playmakers further undermined the team, despite flashes of promise from rookie running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers.
In the end, the magnitude of the rebuild facing the Raiders appeared out of sync with Carroll’s stage of his career at age 74. His departure mirrors the start of his NFL head coaching career, when he was fired after one season with the Jets. For the Raiders, the cycle of instability continues, as the franchise now searches for yet another head coach after three consecutive staffs failed to last even two full seasons.
