Pete Carroll Hot-Seat Rumors Updated by NFL Insider Amid Buzz on Raiders Future

As the Las Vegas Raiders are on the brink of finishing the 2025 season with the NFL's worst record, Pete Carroll is a longshot to return as their head coach.

Per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, it would be considered a "major surprise" if the Raiders retain Carroll for the 2026 season.

A decision from owner Mark Davis isn't finalized yet, but the "feeling" within the Raiders building and throughout the NFL is he will go in a different direction.

This season that started with some optimism for the Raiders has turned into a disaster for the organization.

After firing Josh McDaniels and Antonio Pierce in the past two years, Carroll was hired as head coach with the idea that he could provide stability.

Ownership also made investments in the roster and coaching staff by trading for Geno Smith and making Chip Kelly the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the NFL.

Kelly was fired on Nov. 24 after the Raiders' 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns. They were averaging 15.0 points per game at the time of his dismissal, tied for fewest in the NFL.

Smith, who previously played for Carroll with the Seattle Seahawks from 2020 to '23, has failed to reach his previous highs. The 35-year-old has thrown for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns and a league-high 17 interceptions.

The Raiders don't seem likely to undergo a full-scale reset since general manager John Spytek is considered safe. Rapoport and Pelissero noted Tom Brady, a minority owner for the club, has a close relationship with Spytek and both men are "expected to play a key role" in advising Davis on who to hire as Carroll's replacement.

If Carroll does get fired, the Raiders will be hiring their sixth different head coach since 2021 if you include interims who took over midseason.

Las Vegas (2-14) can clinch the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft with either a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, a New York Giants win or a combination of three losses by the Browns, Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks.

The Raiders haven't had the first overall pick since 2007 when they selected JaMarcus Russell.