Pete Carroll was out of a job, for all intents and purposes, for a year. He was let go by the Seattle Seahawks after the 2023 season, except he had one year left on his contract with guaranteed money so the team had to keep him around in some form. He was an advisor in name only. Now, he is the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The coach's deal is reportedly for three years. At that point, Carroll will be 76 years old, by far the oldest head coach in the league, and his team might just be beginning to be decent. The Raiders have a lot of needs, starting with quarterback. It is difficult for any team to win in the NFL without a good quarterback, especially in the AFC West.
Many 12s probably want Carroll to succeed, though not at the same level as the Seahawks, of course. Still, Carroll is the most successful head coach in team history and seemingly a very decent human being. He can still coach well and knows how to shape a team culture. He might even want some players he coached to join him. Who might they be?
Three Seattle Seahawks (even former ones) who could join Pete Carroll with the Las Vegas Raiders
Wide receiver Tyler Lockett
Lockett is likely a cap casualty in Seattle. Potentially the team restructures his deal and lowers his cap hit in 2025, but that just prolongs the issue. Lockett is an aging receiver who is increasingly becoming less productive and is probably near the end of his career.
He can still help Carroll reshape the culture of the Raiders, though. Carroll and Lockett worked together from 2015 through 2023 so the receiver and coach understand what the other needs. Lockett might not be the best Raiders receiver in 2025 should he sign in free agency after being released by Seattle, but he will certainly be a team leader.
Former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson
Maybe this is cheating a bit as Wilson is not a current Seahawk, but he is the best quarterback in Seattle football history and is now a free agent. Some would think that Carroll would not be open to Wilson joining his new team after Wilson reportedly tried to have Carroll fired in Seattle, but that seems silly. Both were ultimately fired by the Seahawks.
Carroll is also too good of a guy to hold a grudge. Richard Sherman said some bad things about Carroll after he left the team in 2018, but Carroll still invited him back to help in training camps after Sherman stopped playing. The Wilson and Carroll relationship could work again.
Plus, the Raiders desperately need a quarterback, and they could take one in the 2025 NFL draft, but they also could use Wilson as a bridge quarterback. He is still solid, though not great. He might help the Raiders and Carroll, in his first season in Las Vegas, be a bit better than they should be.
Defensive tackle Jarran Reed
Carroll has twice given Reed chances to be good in Seattle. The Seahawks drafted the defensive tackle in 2016 and then, after Reed had left in free agency, Seattle brought Reed back in 2023. He has played well enough to show he might still have a year or two of good production, and Reed is a free agent this offseason.
The Raiders have a decent defensive line, but adding Reed would augment the rotation. This is especially true in terms of quarterback pressure. The Raiders were 20th in quarterback pressure percentage in 2024, and Reed is only going to help with that. Plus, Reed trusts Carrol and the coach clearly trusts the player.