Pete Carroll is officially one and done after his return to coaching as the Las Vegas Raiders have fired him after a disastrous campaign for the franchise.
The 74-year-old was relieved of his duties on Monday after the conclusion of Week 18, with the Raiders now set to begin their search for a new head coach.
Why Did the Raiders Fire Pete Carroll?
The Raiders finished the season with a record of 3-14, tying for the lowest number of wins for a team coached by Carroll during his 19 seasons as an NFL head coach.
Due to their record, the Raiders secured the no. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and are expected to draft Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
The Raiders averaged just 14.2 points per game this season, which was the worst in the league, and things did not improve even after firing offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. As a result, Carroll had to go, and the franchise did not waste any time in parting ways with him.
Sources: Raiders fired head coach Pete Carroll.
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
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2026
As is often the case, the organization is preparing to pair a new head coach with a new quarterback in hopes of resetting the franchise. The Raiders already have promising offensive building blocks in Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers, and the right coaching hire could position the team to surprise next season.
There is still uncertainty on the defensive side, however. Maxx Crosby’s future with the franchise remains unclear, and he could become a trade candidate during the offseason.
Geno Smith, whom the franchise traded for in the last offseason and signed to a two-year contract, $75 million contract extension, played poorly throughout the season. According to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, he is ranked #34 among the quarterbacks in the league this season.
As a result, drafting a quarterback in Mendoza is the most obvious choice for the Raiders, and they will make sure to get the right head coach for him.
Who Will the Raiders Hire as Carroll’s Replacement?
The Raiders’ search for a new head coach is expected to be extensive, and it is anticipated to be led by minority owner Tom Brady.
According to Mike Florio, the Raiders could be looking to hire Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator Brian Flores as their new head coach. He is one of the best defensive minds in the league and has proven his value with the Vikings.
However, Flores might have some shortcomings when it comes to coaching offensive players. To address this, Las Vegas is expected to hire former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll as the offensive coordinator.
If the Raiders can hire Flores and Daboll, it would be a dream scenario for them. The latter will be very helpful in developing a quarterback like Mendoza, and the franchise will get the stability that it has desired since Derek Carr’s departure.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
