Now that Pete Carroll leads the team, the Las Vegas Raiders embark on a new chapter. Finally, there is some hope for what is being constructed in Las Vegas, along with fresh energy and a developing sense of purpose.
Veteran Geno Smith will be expected to spearhead the attack under center, rookie Ashton Jeanty will add some juice to the backfield, and Brock Bowers has already proved what he brings. The defense, on the other hand, is the team that is still looking for answers.
Raiders Linked to Potential Trade for Tampa Bay CB Jamel Dean, Carroll Eyes Defensive Upgrade
According to a recent CBS Sports report, the Raiders may be considering a trade for Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean. Although it’s only a rumor, the move makes a lot of sense and might be one of the first significant, game-changing actions of the Carroll era in Vegas.
A six-year veteran and Super Bowl champion, Dean has been a reliable member of Tampa Bay’s secondary. However, the Bucs may be prepared to move on, given a $15 million cap hit in 2025 and a younger bunch of corners in the wings. By trading Dean, they could lay off almost all of that contract and move forward with rookies like Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison.
The fit is clear for the Raiders. They lack a cornerback and have more than $30 million in cap space. Dean could enter the building as the team’s top corner and instantly provide leadership to a secondary that needs it. Additionally, there is a personal connection. While working in Tampa Bay’s front office, Raiders general manager John Spytek assisted in the 2019 draft of Dean.
Pete Carroll.
Chip Kelly.
Geno Smith.
Ashton Jeanty.
Jakobi Meyers.
Brock Bowers.
Maxx Crosby.All I keep hearing is straight disrespect.
The Las Vegas Raiders are the most underrated team in the NFL right now.
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) June 27, 2025
Yes, there are concerns. For a player who is more reliable than exceptional, Dean isn’t a shutdown corner, and $15 million is a high price to pay. And if Tampa Bay is serious about making another run at the playoffs, they might decide that keeping a proven veteran on staff makes more sense rather than risking rookies.
For Vegas, however, it’s not just about the statistics. Dean provides Carroll with the kind of presence he loves to build upon, along with experience and toughness. Adding a Super Bowl-winning cornerback might send a strong message to a locker room full of youthful talent: this team is reloading, not simply rebuilding.
If the trade goes through, it might be the start of something extraordinary for the Raiders, a team that is finally trying to rediscover what it is under one of the most admired coaches in football.
