New Raiders coach Pete Carroll, making his debut in Las Vegas after a 14-year stretch in Seattle during which he engineered the Seahawks’ only two Super Bowl bids — and sole victory — in the 48-year history of the franchise, becomes the fifth head coach since the team moved to Las Vegas from Oakland for the 2020 season.
Given the turmoil in the Raiders head coach’s office, Carroll was hired to bring stability to the franchise, and to put together a quick turnaround to launch the team that has not made a Super Bowl appearance since 2002 — and hasn’t won a championship since 1983 when they were the Los Angeles Raiders — right back into title contention.
Or at least playoff contention. The Raiders haven’t been there since 2021 and only twice since that last losing Super Bowl effort in 2002.
Carroll to Lean on Defense, Run Game
“One of Carroll’s biggest strengths is his ability to instill confidence, something that will be of use for a young, rebuilding Raiders team,” wrote NFL Nation reporter Brady Henderson on ESPN.com. “Carroll will try to win by leaning on his run game and defense, a formula that helped take the Seahawks to new heights.”
The Raiders made their emphasis on the running game clear when they used the No. 6 overall draft pick to take Boise State ball carrier Ashton Jeanty. But what about the defense? Of the Raiders’ 11 draft picks, only four were defensive players, and two of those came in the sixth and seventh rounds.
The Raiders’ defense was firmly middle-of-the-pack in 2024. The Raiders ranked 15th of the 32 team defenses in yards allowed with 5,829. But they allowed the fifth-most passing touchdowns (29) and their 14 rushing TDs put them in a tie for eighth-most.
Despite the presence of four-time Pro Bowl pick Maxx Crosby on the edge, Las Vegas sacked opposing quarterbacks just 38 times, fewer than 15 other teams. Their 41 quarterback knockdowns was fewer than 23 of the 32 NFL teams.
Former Patriots Free Agent Could Help Out Crosby
Could Crosby use some help with the outside rushing attack? Writing earlier this week, Liam Rebellato of Last Word on Sports believes so — and names free agent, 6-foot-3, 265-pound four-time Pro Bowler Matt Judon as as a “best fit” for the Raiders.
“Pairing (Crosby) with Matthew Judon could benefit the Raiders’ pass rush in many ways. Judon’s presence would take pressure off Crosby and limit the double teams he often faces,” Reballto wrote.
“That is especially true if Judon can consistently win his one-on-one matchups. New general manager John Spytek re-signed defensive end Malcom Koonce, who had a breakout year in 2023, recording eight sacks,” the Last Word scribe continued. “Unfortunately, Koonce missed the entire 2024 season due to the torn ACL he suffered in the preseason. With Koonce working his way back, Judon could step in immediately and create havoc opposite Crosby.”
Judon Would Enjoy Final Hurrah in Vegas
Judon is presents a bigger, somewhat more imposing figure than Crosby who stands an inch taller than Judon, but weighs 10 pounds less.
At age 33 (as of August 15) and with nine seasons on his resumé, signing with the Raiders would likely be a last hurrah for Judon, who started his career playing five seasons for the Baltimore Ravens, followed by three with the New England Patriots, who traded him to the Atlanta Falcons before last season.
That was the final season on the four-year, $59.5 million contract Judon signed with New England. Given his somewhat declining production — 5 1/2 sacks last year was a career low for any season in which Judon has played more than four games — Judon’s free agent contract should fit well within the $30.6 million in cap space available to the Raiders.
