Have you heard? Former Seahawks Super Bowl-winning head coach, Pete Carroll has agreed to lead the Raiders football team… This site will henceforth be a Las Vegas Raiders tribute page! All jokes (kinda), but I will be rooting for Vegas success for the Seattle G.O.A.T.
It’s well-documented that coaches like to bring in their own guys, trusted personnel, when they are hired. That fact that fresh Seahawks head coach, Mike Macdonald chose two guys he had never worked with before as coordinators was slightly unprecedented. It may have also spoken to his lack of connections around the league at his (relatively) young age. Pete Carroll has said that he would like to retain some of the previous Raiders coaching staff and did just that, convincing Patrick Graham to stick around. A 6-year defensive coordinator who has been in demand, taking head coaching interviews himself! He could even be the heir.
Despite some new connection being formed, there are reports of Pete’s guys already getting interviews. The man that won a ring directing Carroll’s offense in Seattle, Darrell Bevell (among a couple others) is a heavy favorite for the same role in Vegas. Do the two men already have plans to absolve their 1-yard line, Super Bowl transgressions in Sin City? I wrote about how Geno may even fit exactly what the new regime is looking for (Proof from Pete: video queued up to 6:24):
There may be guys from teams like the Commanders, Cowboys, Eagles and Packers who ran similar systems as Pete’s late Hawks years who will get extra consideration. Here we’ll explore more of the individual dudes whom Coach Carroll will consider calling to his side to fight a new battle.
Offensive Coordinator Candidates
- Darrell Bevell
- Chip Kelly
- Byron Leftwich
- Brennan Carroll (Son of Pete, OC at UW)
- Nate Carroll (Son of Pete, passing game coordinator with the Panthers)
- Tom Cable (Former Seahawks assistant HC and OL Coach, Former Raiders HC)
- Frank Smith (Oakland ties and interviewed in the same capacity in Seattle)
Defensive Coordinator Candidates (before news of Graham’s return)
- Gus Bradley (Former Seahawks DC)
- Ken Norton Jr. (Former Seahawks LB’s Coach -> DC)
- Kris Richard (Former Seahawks DB’s Coach -> DC)
- Wink Martindale (Oakland Ties)
The following is a list of players that I believe could be system fits, and will greatly interest Pete Carroll and new GM, John Spytek (the most made-up-sounding, New England Patriots-y name that ever existed). Some are names with natural connections, and some will surprise. Go and @ me here or on X and we can expand on any of these.
Offensive Players
Quarterbacks: Russell Wilson, Geno Smith, Shedeur Sanders, Joe Milton III, Daniel Jones, Andy Dalton, Jacoby Brissett, Drew Lock, Zach Wilson
Running Backs: Javonte Williams, J.K. Dobbins, Nick Chubb, Aaron Jones, Najee Harris, Jordan Mason, George Holani
Wide Receivers: Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, Tee Higgins, Hollywood Brown, Mike Williams, Dareke Young, David Moore, Joshua Palmer, Stefon Diggs
Tigh Ends: Zach Ertz, Mike Gesicki
Offensive Linemen: Morgan Moses, Kelvin Beachum, Stone Forsythe, Laken Tomlinson, D.J. Humphries, Trey Smith, Bradley Bozeman, Aaron Banks, Jon Feliciano, Austin Corbett,
Defensive Players
Linebackers: Bobby Wagner, Drake Thomas, Tyrel Dodson, Erick Kendricks, Willie Gay, Denzel Perryman, Isaiah McDuffie, Zach Baun, Shaq Thompson
Edge Rushers: Khalil Mack, Uchenna Nwosu, Darrell Taylor, Josh Sweat, Dante Fowler, Chase Young, Deatrick Wise, Azeez Ojulari
Interior Defensive Linemen: Jarran Reed, Calais Campbell, Poona Ford, Morgan Fox, Folorunso Fatukasi, Javon Hargrave, Osa Odighizuwa, Milton Williams
Cornerbacks: D.J. Reed, Byron Murphy (MIN), Mike Jackson, Tre Brown, Artie Burns, Carlton Davis, Stephon Gilmore
Safeties: Jordan Poyer, Xavier Woods, Quandre Diggs, Tre’von Moehrig, Jaylinn Hawkins, Jordan Fuller, Justin Reid, Caleb Farley, Jevon Holland, Marcus Maye, Tony Jefferson, Harrison Smith
I’d imagine that if Peter has his way, the Silver and Black will sign a veteran, late round and undrafted defense with experience… The players in house have great potential, but Pete, John and crew may need to strengthen the stop-unit right down the middle. The idea is to have them compete to find the real dawgs (which Pete usually finds on defense); draft offense high to make the attack viable for a vet. QB (and mid-late round successor) and take pressure off of the defensive environment of evaluation.
