The Las Vegas Raiders fired Pete Carroll on Monday, but there are some reasons why the job should be appealing to coaches.
The Las Vegas Raiders made news on Monday when the team announced that it would be letting coach Pete Caroll go after one year. The Raiders were able to beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 14-12, in Week 18, but the team finished with a 3-14 record.
It was only one season for Carroll as the coach, but Raiders ownership, including Tom Brady had seen enough to make the decision.
The Raiders have been a bottom level team in the NFL for over the last decade, and it is looked at as one of the worst jobs in the league.
However, for a young offensive minded coach in the league, there are still a few reasons why this job is appealing.
First, the Raiders have two of the best young players in the NFL at their positions in running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers.
Jeanty at times was up-and-down, but the former Boise State star ended up having an impressive rookie campaign. He was able to rush for 975 yards and three touchdowns this season, while also finishing with another 346 receiving yards and five more receiving touchdowns.
The Raiders offensive line struggled throughout the entire season, and Jeanty was able to do this in spite of the line. In a Week 16 loss to a Houston Texans defense that could be the best in the NFL, Jeanty rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown, while also catching a 60-yard touchdown score.
Bowers is arguably the most talented tight end in the entire league, and he was still able to grab 64 catches for 680 yards and seven touchdowns despite missing five games due to injury.
While Geno Smith wasn't the answer at quarterback, the Raiders can get whoever they want as they have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Indiana Heisman trophy winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza figures to be the first quarterback, and would be a no-brainer for the Raiders.
Las Vegas is the type of city that can take a player's focus away from football, but there isn't a player in this upcoming draft who eats, sleeps and drinks football like Mendoza.
When GMs get to talk to Mendoza at the 2026 NFL Draft Combine, there will be an absurd amount of buzz on how he handles the interviews. He has wowed fans and coaches across the sport with his postgame interviews as well as his speech at the Heisman Trophy presentation. Having Brady as an owner of all people, he will especially love what he hears from Mendoza.
Now, there are still areas of this team that needs fixed. The offensive line has to get a lot of work done to it, and the team will need to find some options at the wide receiver position.
Having two of the game's best young playmakers on rookie contracts, while having the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft should be a very appealing thing for coaches looking to be the head guy.