What Pete Carroll brings to the Las Vegas Raiders

NFL fans will look at Pete Carroll and think of many things about the head coach.

For example, he was the coach behind the powerful USC football teams during the 2000s. Fans will remember Reggie Bush (when he wasn’t receiving improper benefits) and Matt Leinart leading the Trojans’ offense. But Carroll was the ol’ maestro.

Fans will also remember his obnoxious oral fixation that would make 49ers fans want to punch his face through the television screen. Combined with Russell Wilson, the duo wreaked havoc on the NFL in the Emerald City, adding pieces of gum to walls in the process.

But fans will always know him for that one moment. You know what I’m talking about. It involved Marshawn Lynch not getting the ball in a Super Bowl, which would’ve won it all for the Seahawks. All of this would’ve led to a repeat for Seattle. Bummer.

Now, he’s known as the newest head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders. He’s bringing his Wrigley gum to Sin City, hoping to turn a hapless franchise into an NFL powerhouse. So let’s look at the head coach and see what he brings to the table.

What Pete Carroll Brings To The Las Vegas Raiders

The one position that’ll benefit the most from Carroll coming into the fold is the running back position. He believes in a smash-mouth style that establishes the offense, setting up the passing game.

That’s good news for incoming running back Ashton Jeanty. The Boise State standout is a power runner who runs fast and is tough to bring down. Add in unbelievable contact balance and he’ll become the ideal star for a Raiders offense poised to take off.

That will also lead to an unrivaled cohesiveness that’ll have Raider fans thinking about their version of prime Marshawn Lynch. The California alum was also a power runner who was hard to bring down, making him a goal-line threat. Expect him to get plenty of touches in third-and-short situations.

Fans will also appreciate his Vic Fangio-style defense. He believes in versatility and uses a 3-4 front, giving his backfield more depth. When you have Maxx Crosby up front, you’re afforded the opportunity to pull this off.

What are some issues with Carroll as a head coach?

For starters, he can make costly errors in his decision-making. Obviously, fans will point to the Super Bowl blunder where Lynch didn’t get the ball. But it’s also Pete Carroll trying to outsmart himself in third-and-short situations.

That Super Bowl blunder will continue to haunt him, even with another Super Bowl win. However, he can redeem himself by going with his most trusted assets, whether it’s Jeanty or Brock Bowers.

When you’re in a division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and an upstart Bo Nix, you can’t afford such blunders. Will he have a similar issue while in Las Vegas? Stay tuned.

But that major problem shouldn’t scare away Raiders fans looking for a renaissance. The Chiefs lost numerous key players, including important offensive linemen. The Chargers are a team that can’t seem to get over the hump. The Broncos bolstered their linebackers and secondary, only to see Dre Greenlaw suffer a quad injury.

All of this could lead to an uprising for a hungry Raiders team. Who knows? They might shock the NFL universe this upcoming season.