Raiders Rumors: Pete Carroll Seen as 'Top Option' for HC After Bears Land Ben Johnson

Former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is reportedly considered the Las Vegas Raiders' "top option," after Ben Johnson landed Chicago's heads coaching job, according to league sources cited by The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed.

In addition, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is also considered a "strong candidate." However, league sources believe he is more likely to end up with the New Orleans Saints, a team he both played for and previously coached, per Tafur and Reed.

The Raiders were a top contender to land Johnson after their interview went "really well," but NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Raiders were never the front runner and Chicago was the "early favorite in the process."

Carroll also interviewed for the Bears' head coaching job before the position ultimately went to Johnson, according to Reed.

Minority owner Tom Brady and Raiders owner Mark Davis were reportedly ready to offer Johnson a lucrative contract and input on the general manager decision, per The Athletic's Tafur and Reed. However, questions about the quarterback situation remain.

The 4-13 Raiders struggled at quarterback throughout the season, with Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew II falling short of being ideal franchise options. The lack of consistency around the Raider's quarterback is one of the main reasons that Johnson signed with the Bears, instead opting for former No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, per The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

For now, the Raiders are all in on pursuing Pete Carroll, an 18-year NFL coach who is 73 years old.

Carroll, who spent 14 years with the Seahawks, appeared in back-to-back Super Bowls, winning one in 2013. He left Seattle in 2023 with a franchise-record 147 wins.