The Las Vegas Raiders are facing significant backlash following their decision to hire Pete Carroll, the 73-year-old head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, to lead their team.
The move, which was made last week, has sparked ridicule, particularly at the East-West Shrine Bowl, where critics have questioned the rationale behind the hire. The decision comes shortly after the high-profile coaching candidate Ben Johnson left the Detroit Lions for the Chicago Bears, with rumors suggesting that the Raiders had heavily pursued Johnson.
However, Johnson’s agent, Rick Smith, dismissed these rumors, emphasizing that minority owner Tom Brady played a key role in pitching the Raiders’ offer to Johnson, although it ultimately did not sway him.
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Despite Carroll’s impressive 170-120 record as an NFL head coach, many have raised doubts about the timing and logic behind his hiring. The Raiders were reportedly also targeting Liam Coen, who chose the Jacksonville Jaguars job instead.
According to Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, the move to bring in Carroll was seen as a backup option and has been met with widespread criticism.
On a more positive note, the Raiders have earned praise for their decision to hire John Spytek as general manager. Spytek, who previously served as assistant GM for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is seen as a strong addition, with many believing he can help address the team’s personnel needs.
Nonetheless, while the GM move is lauded, the hiring of Carroll remains a controversial choice for the franchise.
