HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The focus is now on Pete Carroll.
It’s a familiar situation for the Raiders. Too familiar, in fact.
If owner Mark Davis makes changes, Las Vegas will have a new coach next year for the fourth consecutive season.
advertise
That thought alone might prevent Davis from taking action to create some kind of stability, but there’s a reason Carroll’s job status is in question. The Raiders are 2-12 and have lost eight straight games and 12 of 13.
Asked Monday if he was coaching for his job, Carroll said: “I don’t think so at all, I really don’t think so. I’m way beyond that.”
He even said he would be willing to oversee the redevelopment project.
“Well, it looks like that’s what’s needed,” Carroll said. “We need to continue to work hard to get better, and that’s in all areas, all aspects of what we’re doing. I came in here thinking we were going to turn things around right away. I did and expected to do that, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”
advertise
If Carroll, who turns 74 in September, can convince the front office that he’s willing to devote time and energy to overhauling the roster and possibly mentoring a rookie quarterback like Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, that could allow him to play at least one more season.
The Raiders will also have the second-most salary cap space to spend in free agency at more than $106 million, according to overthecap.com. So there’s an opportunity to shake up the roster, whether it’s under Carroll or another coach.
Carroll, who won a championship at USC and an NFL title with Seattle, has three games left to prove to the front office that he’s the right guy.
Until then, speculation about his future won’t go away.
advertise
“We’re all frustrated,” Carroll said. “We hate what’s going on and there’s no one here who doesn’t want to do better than what we’re showing right now. No one feels that more than I do. But sometimes you feel like you’re the only one who feels that way, so we’re going to try to get through this together.”
“Things didn’t go the way we expected.”
what’s working
The Raiders entered this season with no hope of landing the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft, but they currently sit in second place behind the New York Giants. It could be the same thing for the Raiders with the No. 1 or No. 2 pick, as the Giants appear to have their franchise quarterback in Jaxon Dutt. A chance to draft Mendoza or Dante Moore would inject some much-needed energy into the franchise and its long-suffering fans.
advertise
What help do you need?
For the second straight week, Las Vegas couldn’t get its defense off the field. The Denver Nuggets had the ball for 39:03 the week before, and the Hawks retained possession for 39:25 in Sunday’s 31-0 loss to Philadelphia. The two opponents combined to reverse 17 of 25 third-down possessions.
Stock up
Devin White proved this season that his NFL career is far from over. The 27-year-old defender had another strong performance against the Eagles, racking up 16 tackles, including two for loss. His 149 tackles this season are a career high, and his 10 tackles for loss are second only to the 15 he recorded with Tampa Bay in 2020.
advertise
Inventory decline
The offense has been at or near the bottom in several metrics and is actually regressing. The Raiders’ 75 yards against the Eagles was the fewest in the league since Arizona gained 58 yards against Cleveland on Nov. 5, 2023. It was the second-lowest total in Raiders history; they gained 58 yards against the San Diego Chargers on October 22, 1961. Las Vegas is the first team in 33 years to rush for fewer than 100 yards twice in the same season.
Injuried
Quarterback Geno Smith (shoulder and back) could return this week. Carroll said he’ll have a better idea Wednesday. … T. Colton Miller (ankle) will practice again this week, but whether to play Sunday in Houston has yet to be determined.
advertise
key number
434-434-6 — That’s the Raiders’ record since the merger in 1970, and the first time they’ve finished at .500 or worse since starting their first season in a 2-2-1 lineup.
Next steps
The Raiders visit the Texans on Sunday.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
