The Las Vegas Raiders have officially announced Pete Carroll as their new head coach following a groundbreaking deal that signals a bold new era for the franchise. The former Seattle Seahawks legend, who will turn 74 in September, becomes the oldest head coach in NFL history in his debut season with the Raiders.
Carroll has signed a three-year contract with a team option for a fourth season, with the Raiders hoping his championship pedigree will ignite a turnaround for the franchise.
One of Carroll’s first major moves was retaining Patrick Graham as the team’s defensive coordinator — a decision that has sparked widespread speculation about Graham’s future role. Many insiders believe the Raiders could be grooming Graham to eventually succeed Carroll as the team’s next head coach.
However, sources inside the organization suggest there is no formal plan for a post-Carroll transition at this time. A recent poll of over 500 fans revealed that 68% believe the Raiders shouldn’t rush into naming a successor, while 32% support Graham as the future head coach.
Carroll addressed the speculation in his first press conference:
“I’m here to win right now — that’s my only focus. The future will take care of itself.”
Graham, who has interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs in recent offseasons, is expected to play a key role in rebuilding the Raiders’ defense. Many believe the opportunity to work alongside Carroll could position him as a leading candidate for a head coaching job as early as 2026 — whether in Las Vegas or elsewhere.
With Carroll at the helm and Graham by his side, the Raiders are looking to rewrite their story and return to playoff contention.
More updates to follow as the Raiders prepare for the 2025 season.
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