The Las Vegas Raiders have done something unexpected. One year after his departure from the Seattle Seahawks, Pete Carroll is returning to the NFL...to coach for Las Vegas. It's quite a surprising development as it seemed like Carroll was not on the Raiders' radar.
Despite the decorated hire, the Raiders still need one crucial piece: a quarterback. Aidan O'Connell has shown signs of growth, but the Carroll hire signals that this team is in win-now mode. Las Vegas will more than likely be motivated to sign a veteran quarterback.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport floated an idea for that veteran presence: Russell Wilson, the former quarterback for Carroll's Seahawks. Rapoport reported that the two have remained close and that Wilson is a strong candidate to sign with the Raiders.
Wilson is coming off a strong year with the Pittsburgh Steelers this season. In 11 games, he threw for 2,482 yards with a 63.7% completion rate with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. The Steelers quarterback led the team to a playoff berth, where they were eliminated by the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (left).
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Steelers before the start of the 2024 NFL season, which will make him a free agent this offseason. Talks have begun between Pittsburgh and the quarterback, Wilson said on The Pat McAfee Show. However, should Wilson want another go with his former coach, he may have an intriguing option in the Raiders.
The Raiders don't have the same firepower as the Steelers, but they have arguably the best tight end prospect in the league in Brock Bowers. Bowers set the rookie record for most receiving yards and receptions in a single season with 1,194 yards on 112 catches. They also have a solid core of wide receivers with Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker as well as a few draft picks for 2025.
Wilson and Carroll go way back. Wilson was the quarterback for Carroll's Seahawks from 2012-21. The duo won a Super Bowl and reached the title game twice during their run together. Wilson isn't quite the same quarterback who won that Super Bowl, but a reunion under the Raiders doesn't sound too bad.
