On the last day of minicamp for the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday June 12, 2025, videos surfaced of a silly moment that ended up dividing Raiders fans.
In the clips, a Raiders employee rolls around in a giant inflatable bubble/hamster ball alongside Raiders players while they warm up for the day’s practice.
The Raiders official X account had a lighthearted and supportive take on the situation, posting it with the caption “Rollin’ with the homies”.
But not everyone thought the moment was necessary, preferring the Raiders to be more serious and focused.
“And this is why Al Davis is rolling in his grave, this is a joke,” one X user wrote in response to the clip. “That’s why the rest of the league laughs at us.”
Even fantasy football company Sleeper took a shot at the Raiders from their Kansas City Chiefs affiliate account.
“Meanwhile in Kansas City…..” the account wrote on X alongside a regular, boring video of the Chiefs diligently running drills.
Coming off of a 4-13 season in 2024, apparently the Raiders aren’t in position to have any fun at minicamp without getting backlash for it.
Coach Carroll Was Not Responsible for the Bubble
New Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll has a history of lighthearted antics, keeping morale light and energy positive on his teams.
He’s already gone viral for wrestling with his new Raiders players earlier in OTAs.
So, many Raiders fans guessed that Carroll might be behind the giant bubble’s appearance at training camp, that it was the latest of his playful shenaigans. But as it turned out, that was not the case. A beat reporter noted that it was an equipment manager within the bubble, before Carroll made sure to deny any involvement.
“I can’t speak for the bubble thing,” Carroll said during a press conference after mandatory minicamp on June 12, 2025. “They were trying to surprise me with that one I guess? I don’t know. I didn’t know that was happening.”
Carroll is Trying to Balance Fun and Seriousness
Pete Carroll admitted during that same press conference on June 12, 2025 that he’s going to mix in some fun moments here and there to keep his players engaged, but made sure Raiders fans knew that his team is taking preparing for this season seriously.
“I was a little concerned because this is kind of like the last day of school,” Carroll said. “When kids get a little crazy and do some crazy things and stuff because they know they’re getting out. I was a little concerned about it so we addressed that and they brought all their love and energy today to this effort that we had.”
He also mentioned that trying to win every game and win the Super Bowl is the mindset he’s instilling with the Raiders, and that he’s challenging every Raiders player to show up to training camp “in the best shape of their life”.
So, while Raiders fans can no doubt expect lots more smiles and fun from the Raiders in 2025, they should also expect a team that fights hard every minute of every game.
