Pete Carroll spoke to Rich Cimini of ESPN, who covers the Jets, Smith’s new team. “I think I see him differently than a lot of people see him,” Carroll said about Geno Smith. “I love him and appreciate him differently.”

But then, he dropped the apologetic part of the message. “He’s a phenomenal quarterback, he really is,” the former Raiders coach said. “We should’ve had him better prepared for the things that happened, and that wouldn’t have happened. I take a lot of responsibility in that. We didn’t prepare him well enough in the offseason even though he looked great and we felt we had everything lined up. It was very, very disappointing for us both.”

Smith will work with an OC known for getting the best of QBs

Frank Reich is the Jets new offensive coordinator. He has a reputation of making the best out of working with underwhelming quarterbacks. Smith right now has been that, and he is looking or redemption. Reich worked with Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan. Rivers and Ryan were in their last stretches.

Reich has had mixed but overall positive results given his quarterbacks. Now, he has to go back into reviving the career of a soon-to-be 36-year-old Geno Smith. The Jets desperately need for this duo to work, otherwise their offense will be very stagnant.

Smith will have a very good couple of weapons to work with

Smith will have a certified top-tier wide receiver in Garrett Wilson. The Ohio State product has had three 1,000-yard seasons. The streak was stopped last year, but he only played in seven games. Now, Smith will have to target Wilson heavily if he wants to succeed.

He also has a very good running back. Breece Hall will also be back. He had 1,065 yards last season. But Hall is not only a good rusher, he is also a very good pass-catcher. Hall has had 350+ receiving yards in his three seasons as a full starter of the team. Hence, he will a viable escape valve for Smith.

There is no doubt that the most important position is quarterback. McCarthy publicly said that he is open to Aaron Rodgers returning, but the veteran could be considering retirement at 42 years old.

Additionally, following Mike Tomlin’s departure, the coaching staff will be completely new. Arthur Smith will not continue as offensive coordinator and will head to Ohio State, Danny Smith will no longer be in charge of special teams and has already signed with the Buccaneers, while Teryl Austin will also not continue as defensive coordinator.

Who will be Steelers defensive coordinator in 2026?

Patrick Graham would be the new defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026, according to a report by Jordan Schultz. “New Steelers HC Mike McCarthy is expected to hire former Raiders DC Patrick Graham to be his DC in Pittsburgh, source confirms. The respected Graham has been a HC candidate in recent years and has been with Vegas since 2022 under 3 different HCs.”

Graham was the Raiders’ defensive coordinator from 2022 to 2025 and was one of the bright spots on Pete Carroll’s staff this season. Additionally, he has a background working with Bill Belichick and the Patriots, winning a Super Bowl as linebackers coach.

Jeremy Fowler also said the move is nearly finalized. “Patrick Graham is flying to Pittsburgh today to interview for the Steelers defensive coordinator job and is considered the frontrunner, per sources. While he still has to interview, the expectation in some league circles is that he will be the DC if all goes well.”

Carroll has already been fired, and the search for his replacement has now begun with a very attractive incentive for any aspiring candidates: the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Draft and the possibility of starting from scratch with Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore as franchise quarterback.

The list of available names continues to grow as the days go by. In fact, the entire NFL landscape has changed with the departure of John Harbaugh from Baltimore. However, Brady could have a surprise name in mind.

Who could be next Raiders head coach?

Brian Flores could be the next head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. In a very significant move in recent days, oddsmakers have made him the clear favorite to get the job over names like Klint Kubiak, Kevin Stefanski, or John Harbaugh.

That would align with the report by Mike Florio that came out at the beginning of the week, in which he mentioned Tom Brady’s plan would be to bring in the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings as Pete Carroll’s replacement.

“There’s a rumor currently making the rounds that, once Brady rolls up his sleeves, he’ll make the case for bringing in Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.”

Raiders are ready to choose their next QB

Faced with the decision for their next quarterback between Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore, a key factor for the Raiders will be the offensive coordinator. Florio already mentioned that Brady already has the man to serve as possible mentor for any rookie.

“As the chatter goes, Flores would be the head coach, and former Giants coach Brian Daboll would be the offensive coordinator. Like Flores, Daboll has extensive experience with the Patriot Way. Daboll was there for the first three Super Bowl wins of the Brady/Belichick era, and for two of the second trio of championships.”

Carroll and the Raiders ended with a 3-14 record, the worst in the NFL. In fact, the Raiders will have the first pick in the draft. As for his contract, Carroll signed a three-year, $45 million deal. Now, the Raiders owe him roughly $30 million.

The Raiders also had an awful recent history regarding the head coach. Since 2021, they’ve had four different head coaches. First it was Jon Gruden, who then was fired and it’s still an ongoing process. Then they tried the Josh McDaniels experiment, which was just bad. Antonio Pierce then was hired as interim, and then appointed as official coach but didn’t work either. Now, Pete Carroll lasted a year.

Tom Brady will spearhead the new HC hunt

Adam Schefter also reported that Brady and Raiders general manager John Spytek will take the duties of finding the team’s next head coach. Brady is not a fan of losing football games, so the intensity in this search will be at an all-time high. Also, Spytek’s seat might be in jeopardy, so he will also try to nail the new signing.

Brady got his minority stake thanks at a premium value because majority owner Mark Davis wanted to get a new culture going into the team. It’s time to use that to get a new head coach. It was reported that Brady would have two former Patriots coaches as possible arrivals to the Raiders.

The Raiders have too many holes to fill

The head coach is one of them, but it’s not the only one. The Raiders need to decide if they trust Geno Smith one more year or not. They also need huge help in the offensive line, offensive coordinator and defensive backs.

The fact is that they need to get huge investments and nail pretty much all the decisions they do in this NFL offseason. Also, the fact that they play in a hugely competitive division like the AFC West makes this an even more uphill battle.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported last January that the Raiders where “Tom’s show now”. Given that 90% of his GOAT status came as part of the New England Patriots, it’s not a coincidence that Brady is looking for former coaches of his to come into the building. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Brady would try to poach now-Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores as the head coach. He would also like to bring Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator.

Flores and Brady are said to have an incredible relationship. The no non-sense mentality of the coach fits perfectly with Brady. Flores was the Miami Dolphins head coach from 2019 to 2021. However, he spent time in different roles with the Patriots from 2004 to 2018.

Flores would take matters on the defense and culture

A strong character, Flores will bring a new culture to a team that desperately needs it. He will also bring defensive stability, given the fact that he is one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL. His record as a head coach is 24-25, but his Dolphins tenured was marked by outside noise and controversy where he was unfairly treated by the franchise.

As for the offense, Brian Daboll would be ideal. Daboll made his name by transforming Josh Allen from a raw product into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Daboll had two stints on the Patriots prior to that. From 2000 to 2006, and then from 2013 to 2016. After the Bills, he took head coaching duties on the Giants where he won coach of the year, but then the team went spiraling down. His record on the Giants was 20-40. However, as an OC, he is excellent.

Daboll could be useful if the Raiders draft a quarterback

While it seems like Pete Carroll won’t come back for another season, another figure on the spotlight is veteran QB Geno Smith. With rumors saying the Raiders would like to draft Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza at the quarterback position. Mendoza has ability and raw skill but needs to develop, just as Allen a few years ago. The Raiders, and Brady, would count on Daboll to shape Mendoza into a certified franchise quarterback.

That would effectively mean the end for Geno Smith. The 35-year-old had a very underwhelming season, where he led the NFL in interceptions, throwing almost as much picks as he did touchdowns.

As the weeks went by, the playoffs drifted further out of reach, and the team’s biggest accomplishment ended up being a high pick in the upcoming draft. But the question on everyone’s mind at this point in the season is: will Carroll still be in charge of that selection when the season ends?

“Owner Mark Davis has the final call,” insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero wrote. “He has not communicated any decision and often takes a day or two after the season before making changes.

“But after a monumentally disappointing season — one in which the Raiders have fired two coordinators, lost 14 of their last 15 games and worn out the patience of team leader Maxx Crosby — it’s hard to imagine Davis staying status quo. So while Carroll, 74, has been fighting for another year, the feeling within the league and within the building is Davis will go in another direction.”

What will happen to Crosby in the upcoming season?

As of early 2026, the relationship between Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders has reached a critical turning point following reports of his frustration with the team’s late-season “tanking” strategy.

After being sidelined for the final games of 2025 to secure a higher draft pick, Crosby “vehemently disagreed” and reportedly left the team facility, signaling a major rift. While he has expressed a desire to remain a “Raider for life,” his priority is winning now, leading to speculation that he could seek a trade to a Super Bowl contender.

Financially, Crosby recently signed a massive three-year, $106.5 million extension that includes $91.5 million in guarantees, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history with an average annual value of $35.5 million.

However, due to the structure of his deal, a trade in 2026 would only result in a relatively low $5.1 million dead cap hit for the Raiders, making a blockbuster move feasible if the organization decides to undergo a full rebuild.

According to Ian Rapoport, “Certainly is a possibility that Travis Kelce played his last game at Arrowhead this past week. He’s gonna take some time after the season is over to consider his fate and see what he wants to do, whether or not he wants to play a 14th season. My understanding is, if he was gonna play, it wouldn’t be for anyone else besides the Chiefs.“

A one-franchise man, all Kelce has done is put on a Hall of Fame career for the Chiefs. It would be almost impossible to visualize Kelce playing for another team, especially when he is out of his prime. Adapting to a new city, a new scheme, new quarterback and new coach might be something that the 36-year-old doesn’t want to go through.

Kelce has been declining steadily over the last few seasons

While still remaining a big-time weapon for the team, Kelce’s output has been slowly declining in recent years. Usually a certified 1,000-yard player, the last three seasons he hasn’t been able to reach those numbers. In fact, pretty much all his numbers have come down.

Also, Kelce is looking for new chapters in his life. He is engaged to Taylor Swift, one of the most famous women on Earth, and he has plenty of business ventures in Kansas City. Hence, moving out would be putting all those plans on halt.

His partner in crime might not be able to start the season

Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL injury this season. Even with a good recovery, it remains to be seen if the quarterback will be able to participate in the early stages of the next NFL season. Mahomes has been Kelce’s partner in crime during the majority of his career, as him and the quartertback have incredible chemistry in and out of the field.

That could also play a part on Kelce’s decision to keep playing football. Without Mahomes, his production will undoubtedly suffer, and his NFL legacy is set in stone, so why keep going? After all, Kelce is one of the three best tight ends of all time.

To win or not to win, that is the question. In Week 17, the Giants and the Raiders face off, with both clubs owning the worst records of the 2025 season, which means they could decide who selects first in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Obviously, the idea of losing on purpose is not on the table for either club. However, unintentionally, the Raiders may have taken a step closer to the No. 1 overall pick after losing a key player for this game.

Pete Carroll confirms Maxx Crosby won’t play again this season

On Friday, the Raiders confirmed that Maxx Crosby will not play again during the 2025 NFL season due to a knee injury. Head coach Pete Carroll revealed the news, and the star pass rusher did not take it kindly.

“He said, ‘I’d like to get out here,’ so I said, ‘Get out of here,’ and he took off,” Carroll said on Crosby leaving the team’s facilities after the club told him he wouldn’t play again this season, via video from Vegas Sports Today. “It was exactly like you would think he would do, and he should do, and I agree with him a 1000 percent on how he responded.”

It is clear that Crosby is a highly competitive player who wants to play as much as possible. However, the risk of a potential injury is not the best scenario for the Raiders, whether they plan to build the team around him or decide to trade him next offseason.

Is Maxx Crosby going to be traded?

The future of Maxx Crosby is highly uncertain. The star defensive end has said multiple times that he does not want to leave the Raiders, but after a series of losing seasons, the club may decide to move on from him to acquire draft capital or players at positions of need.

Rumors suggest that the Raiders are open to listening to offers for Crosby. This year, the Cowboys reportedly inquired about him after trading Micah Parsons, so a strong offer could tempt Las Vegas into moving on from the elite pass rusher.

The Raiders have endured a highly disappointing season and currently sit at 2–14, tied with the New York Giants for the NFL’s worst record. Both teams are now in a direct battle for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft—a situation that has clearly frustrated Crosby.

“I don’t give a s—t about the pick, to be honest,” Maxx Crosby told media on Wednesday. “I don’t play for that. That’s not my job. My job is to be the best defensive end in the world. That’s what I focus on every day, and being a great leader and being an influence and being that guy on a consistent basis for my team.

“That’s got nothing to do with me. I’ve learned my lesson in the past. You can’t control everything. That’s not my job description. My job is to be the best in the world at what I do. And that’s wrecking the game.”

What would the Raiders gain with the No. 1 overall pick?

At the moment, the Giants hold the No. 1 overall pick due to strength-of-schedule tiebreakers, even though they share the same record as Las Vegas. If the Raiders finish with a worse record and secure the top selection, it would come with mixed emotions.

On one hand, earning the No. 1 pick would confirm the Raiders as the league’s worst team. On the other, it would give them the most valuable position in the draft and full control over selecting the top prospect available.

Las Vegas is widely expected to target a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. Holding a top pick would significantly increase its chances of landing a franchise-caliber passer.

During the previous offseason, the Raiders acquired Geno Smith in free agency, but the veteran quarterback has failed to meet expectations. While Smith remains under contract, the organization could prefer drafting a high-upside quarterback who could learn behind him before eventually taking over the offense.

Why the No. 2 pick may not hurt the Raiders

If New York retains the No. 1 overall pick, selecting second overall may not be a major setback for Las Vegas. The Giants are not expected to prioritize a quarterback after drafting Jaxson Dart last year, meaning they likely wouldn’t block the Raiders from their preferred prospect.

Quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore are widely viewed as the top signal-callers in the 2026 draft class, and both would likely still be available at No. 2 overall.

However, there is a risk. If the Giants decide to trade the top pick to a quarterback-needy team, that could complicate the Raiders’ plans and force Las Vegas to adjust its draft strategy.

Now, after Philip Rivers’ incredible comeback with the Indianapolis Colts at 44 years old, the big question is whether Brady could come out of retirement to chase another championship.

Until a few days ago, Aaron Rodgers was the oldest player in the league at 42, but he has now been surpassed by Rivers. If Brady were to attempt that feat at 48, it would be spectacular, but unfortunately for his fans, it is highly unlikely.

Is Tom Brady coming out of retirement?

Tom Brady is not coming out of retirement, even though the former quarterback said in an interview with Colin Cowherd that he could still play in the NFL at 48. That statement sparked a lot of controversy on social media, which caused an old tweet by insider Jeff Darlington to resurface clarifying the situation.

Darlington’s message was published when Brady officially became a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023. That move is what prevents the legend from returning to the NFL with the Raiders or any other team.

“This should also put to rest any of the final few holdouts still wondering if Tom will come back out of retirement. NFL rules require a vote of all 32 teams to allow anyone to play while holding a financial interest in a club. So we can all move on now. Right?”

Kelly spoke to NFL insider Jay Glazer and said, “I am grateful for the opportunity with the Raiders, bottom line in this league you have to win. I really loved those players, I’m a huge, HUGE Geno Smith fan, that was one of the best parts of this experience for me, working with Geno and those guys every day. But hey, we gotta win. I get it.”

The Raiders offense is a bottom three unit in most categories, including yards, scoring, and rushing. Those are stats that will cost you a job, and even Kelly seems to know it judging him by his words.

Geno Smith has issues that might stem deeper from Kelly

Smith has regressed massively since leaving the Seahawks and Kelly is very responsible of it. But there is more, and the fact is that Pete Carroll must be responsible for it. Smith has had two problems: lack of protection and overall quarterback play. Well, both have a coincidence, Pete Carroll’s sons are working directly with him.

Brennan Carroll is the run game and offensive line coordinator. Needless to say, the running game is not working either, but the offensive line has been atrocious. The offensive line can’t protect Smith. Then, game management and assistant quarterbacks coach Nate Carroll, also Pete’s son, has also made his mark in a negative way when it comes to Smith’s form. Kelly was the head of offense, but the fact is, it might go deeper than that.

What’s next for the Raiders?

At least for now, the Raiders’ best interest is to actually lose games, because that will give them a higher draft pick for next year. But, the second most important thing is to get the right offensive coordinator. That will be key if this team wants any success in the Pete Carroll era.

When Carroll arrived, he promised this team would win a lot of games. After that, they have won just twice. So, the thing clearly is going sideways. If Carroll wants to save his job, he actually needs to nail the offensive coordinator hire.