The Las Vegas Raiders are concluding their third coaching search in four years, securing one of the most seasoned candidates available to stabilize their franchise.

Reports indicate that the Raiders will hire former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll to take the reins. Carroll is poised to become the oldest head coach in NFL history when he leads the Raiders, yet he plans to infuse his high-energy, culture-focused style into the team in Las Vegas.

After spending the 2024 season away from coaching, Carroll’s return marks his 19th season coaching in the NFL across four franchises. His wealth of experience could be essential for a Raiders team looking for a change in direction.

Here’s a breakdown of the primary winners and losers with Carroll reportedly joining the Raiders.

Winners

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders have faced difficulties in finding head coaching stability since Jon Gruden resigned after controversial emails surfaced. Carroll brings a reputation as one of the NFL’s top culture-builders along with a track record of success.

Carroll boasts a career record of 170-120-1 over his 18-season tenure as an NFL head coach, including a Super Bowl win with the Seahawks. While he may not immediately elevate the Raiders to that level, he has achieved a winning record in 11 of his last 12 seasons. In contrast, the Raiders have only managed 11 winning seasons since 1984, making this hire a significant improvement for their prospects.

Pete Carroll

During the 2024 offseason, Carroll expressed enthusiasm for continuing his coaching career shortly before vacating his position with the Seahawks.

“I plan to coach this team; I told you how much I love these guys,” Carroll remarked on Seattle Sports’ Brock & Salk Show. “I want to see how far we can go.”

Thus, it’s not unexpected that Carroll was eager to seize the chance for a return to the NFL. Despite being set to become the league’s oldest coach, taking on the challenge of revitalizing another storied franchise aligns well with his distinctive coaching abilities.

Tom Brady

In 2024, Brady joined the Raiders as a part-time owner and played a key role in attracting one of the league’s most accomplished coaching candidates, Carroll.

Initially, it seemed challenging for Brady and the Raiders during the hiring process, particularly after Ben Johnson opted to join the Chicago Bears. However, acquiring a seasoned coach like Carroll should help improve the Raiders’ image and hopefully put an end to the ongoing changes in leadership under Mark Davis.

Russell Wilson

Reportedly, Wilson had an interest in joining the Raiders during the 2024 offseason. With Carroll onboard, there could be a chance for him in 2025 given their previous relationship.

There were reports of friction between Wilson and Carroll towards the end of Wilson’s time with the Seahawks. However, recent updates suggest the two have reconciled. Wilson expressed in 2024 that he maintained a positive relationship with Carroll, having even traveled to Seattle to celebrate Carroll’s departure from coaching.

“He was like a father figure to me,” Wilson shared on the I AM ATHLETE podcast. “The love between us remains strong.”

Given this history, Las Vegas may be a viable opportunity for Wilson, especially since the Raiders are in need of a reliable quarterback and Carroll’s past experience with him could make him an ideal candidate for the role.

Losers

Tennessee Titans

The Titans hold the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and likely aim to trade it to teams seeking a quarterback for a substantial return. However, their options may have dwindled with Carroll’s hiring.

During Carroll’s time in Seattle, he did not engage in first-round trades nor selected a quarterback before the third round, favoring players like Matt Flynn and Geno Smith instead. It’s hard to envision Carroll changing this strategy unless he and the new general manager, John Spytek, are particularly intrigued by a top quarterback in the upcoming draft.

2025 NFL Draft QBs

Carroll’s draft history does not bode well for the 2025 quarterback class, which is already viewed as relatively weak. While it’s possible that Carroll and Spytek could indeed find a star quarterback to target, there’s a higher likelihood they will invest their early selection in a standout player in another position, opting for a mid-round quarterback to compete with an established veteran like Wilson.

Given this scenario, the chances of the Raiders becoming a desirable landing spot for top-10 quarterbacks seems unlikely, reducing available opportunities for hopeful first-round prospects.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys reportedly reached out to Carroll regarding their head coach vacancy, as noted by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Naturally, they were unsuccessful in securing him, adding Carroll to a list of high-profile candidates who will not be joining the Cowboys.

With Carroll, Johnson, and Aaron Glenn all off the table, the Cowboys’ top choices to replace Mike McCarthy seem to be dwindling. The team is leaning toward Brian Schottenheimer as the leading candidate, which is unlikely to excite Cowboys supporters. Missing out on Carroll, just after initial interest was disclosed, is sure to sting for the organization.