The Las Vegas Raiders have officially relieved Pete Carroll of his duties as head coach, ending a partnership that unraveled almost as quickly as it began.
After just one season at the helm, Carroll’s tenure in Las Vegas is over following a historically poor year that left the franchise with the worst record in the NFL.
Owner Mark Davis confirmed the move Monday morning, noting that General Manager John Spytek will now oversee football operations alongside Tom Brady as the organization pivots toward its next head coach.
Why the Raiders moved on from Pete Carroll
The decision was driven almost entirely by results. Las Vegas stumbled to a 3–14 record in 2025, dropping 14 of its final 15 games and frequently looking overwhelmed on both sides of the ball.
The Raiders entered the season hoping Carroll’s experience would stabilize the roster and accelerate progress after moving on from Antonio Pierce, but the opposite happened. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was fired midseason, quarterback Geno Smith was benched, and internal tension surfaced with cornerstone defender Maxx Crosby.
Sources: Raiders fired head coach Pete Carroll.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2026
Carroll signed a three-year deal one year ago, and the Raiders finished this season with the NFL’s worst record.
The Raiders now embark on their newest head coaching search. pic.twitter.com/KtdeZaMtym
For a franchise already starved for stability, the on-field collapse made it difficult to justify sticking with a 74-year-old head coach during an impending rebuild.
What comes next for Las Vegas
The silver lining is that the disastrous season secured the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, giving the Raiders a clear starting point for a reset.
With Carroll gone, Spytek and Brady are expected to play central roles in shaping the next phase of the organization, from the coaching hire to the long-term roster vision.
Sources: The #Raiders have fired coach Pete Carroll, officially one and done.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2026
Tom Brady, in the building today, and GM John Spytek will run the search for the new head coach. pic.twitter.com/MvO7pJirAU
Las Vegas will now look for a younger, forward-facing head coach capable of growing alongside a new quarterback and restoring credibility to a franchise that will soon be searching for its fourth head coach in four seasons.
Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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