The Las Vegas Raiders are on a mission to become a competitive force in the desert. After a series of disappointing seasons, the franchise made a bold move by welcoming the most successful football player in history, Tom Brady, into the ownership group. His addition has already set the stage for significant changes.
Brady’s influence was instrumental in bringing another football legend aboard, as Las Vegas hired Pete Carroll as their new head coach. This decision is already yielding positive results, attracting Chip Kelly to take on the role of offensive coordinator after his triumph with the Ohio State Buckeyes, leading them to a national championship.
During a Wednesday news conference, Kelly expressed his enthusiasm about collaborating with Carroll, stating, “I think everybody in the coaching profession, if you get a chance to work with Pete Carroll, you’re pretty excited about it,” according to the Athletic. He added that the competition in the NFL is at an all-time high and that it is this very competition that motivates coaches and players alike.
Kelly emphasized the excitement generated by conversations with General Manager John Spytek, team owner Mark Davis, and minority owner Tom Brady, highlighting the alignment and vision within the organization. He also reflected on how his offensive strategies have changed since his days at Oregon when fast-paced, no-huddle plays were the norm. “It was drastically different… We’ve evolved that way just because I think the game itself has evolved,” he explained, noting a general trend of decreasing snaps in both college and NFL football.
While Carroll will make history as the oldest head coach in the NFL, there has been speculation regarding Kelly’s potential future as a head coach. However, he downplayed any aspirations for now, saying, “I’m really excited to be here with Pete… You better make sure that you concentrate on exactly what’s right in front of you. I don’t have to be a head coach again. That’s not something I need to do.” He added, “If I never coach again after this season, then I would have a life that I never dreamed I could ever have in football. I’m going to coach for a long, long time as long as someone will have me.”
It will be fascinating to see if the combined expertise of Kelly and Carroll can help the Raiders regain competitiveness in such a challenging division.
