Pete Carroll’s return to coaching hasn’t gone as smooth as he expected. With the Las Vegas Raiders sitting at 2-12, the 74-year-old Carroll is now looking at the possibility of a rebuild … if he’s allowed to stick around long enough to see it.
Despite the team’s poor record, Carroll said Monday he doesn’t feel as though he’s coaching for his job over the final three weeks of the regular season. “I don’t feel like that at all,” he said, via ESPN’s Ryan McFadden. “I’m well beyond that.”
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Carroll admitted that a rebuild was likely “necessary” in Las Vegas.
Carroll added that he didn’t view things going this way when he was hired by the Raiders in January. He expected to join the team and immediately turn things around in Year 1.
But things didn’t work out that way. The team’s bold trade for Geno Smith proved to be a mistake, as the veteran regressed after a few solid years with the Seattle Seahawks. Smith is under contract for at least one more season with the team after it signed him to a two-year, $75 million extension in April. The Raiders do have an out from Smith’s contract following the 2026 season, and will likely exercise it unless Smith can show improvement next season.
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Whether Smith gets that opportunity remains a significant question for Carroll. With three weeks to go in the regular season, the Raiders are one of three teams sitting at 2-12. Depending on how the team finishes out the year, it could be picking at — or very near — the top of the 2026 NFL Draft. Given Smith’s struggles in 2025, it would be hard to see the Raiders passing on a quarterback that high up in the draft. Even if Smith opens next year as the starter, his time in that role could be limited once the rookie is ready.
While Smith’s play has been an issue, he’s far from the only one facing the Raiders moving forward. The team doesn’t have many reliable playmakers on offense, especially following the Jakobi Meyers trade. Rookie Ashton Jeanty hasn’t made the immediate impact some expected and second-year tight end Brock Bowers has been held back by injury.
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Despite the presence of Maxx Crosby, the defense has been almost as bad, ranking 25th in points against this season.
Put that all together, and the Raiders have a lot of holes, making Carroll’s statement about a rebuild look accurate. While Carroll seems up for the task, it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to see a full rebuild through. Carroll is 74 and coming off a miserable first season back. He might believe he’s safe this year, but probably won’t be given too much grace unless the Raiders hit on some key draft picks ahead of next season.
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