It was reported on Monday that the Raiders requested permission to interview Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, and that makes seven official candidates for the head coaching vacancy in Las Vegas.
Joseph is the second defensive coordinator within the AFC West (Steve Spagnuolo) the Raiders have requested to interview, but it’s starting to feel like there are two clear front runners for the job.
Everyone has been talking about the impression Ben Johnson made on Tom Brady and company in his Friday interview and there doesn’t seem to be a single NFL media type who doesn’t think Johnson is the favorite to get the job.
But as the Washington Commanders learned a year ago, it can be difficult to predict what Johnson is going to do, and if he doesn’t end up with the Raiders, the backup option in Las Vegas appears to be a veteran coach with a Super Bowl on his resume.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vinny Bonsignore, there are “a lot of things lining up” for Johnson and the Raiders, but if Johnson doesn’t take the job, Pete Carroll will likely be the team’s no. 2 option.
Going into the hiring process, there are some who believed Carroll was the favorite to get the Raiders’ job.
Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter mentioned a candidate the team wanted to hear from before parting ways with Antonio Pierce, and it’s fair to wonder if that candidate might have been Carroll.
There haven’t been any reports to how Carroll’s interview in Las Vegas went on Monday, but there shouldn’t be a lot the veteran head coach should have to prove.
The only knock on Carroll is the fact that he’s 73 years-old, but if we’re keeping it real, he looks a lot healthier than some of his much younger colleagues in the league.
On a side note, the aforementioned Bonsignore won the 2024 Nevada Sportswriter of the Year award this week. That’s a high honor, and congratulations to him on that achievement.
x: @raidersbeat
Please not Pete!
If Pete Carroll were 10 years younger, I’d say bring it on, but the dude is gonna be 74 years old at the start of the season. I bet my house on it. The Raiders did not fire Antonio Pierce and Tom Telesco to bring in a 73 year old Pete Carroll. I don’t care what Vincent says. It doesn’t make any sense. He retired once and he’ll most likely do it again in a couple years and we need way more of a commitment that to turn this culture around in Vegas.
Pete Carroll is an excellent coach. His age is a factor but shouldn’t be. I say get the best person for the job and he has an excellent resume. I believe he has a lot left in the tank and would prove to be a good hire. Listen, I would rather go with a young and up and coming guy but if we can’t get him then I would take Pete Carroll
I respect your opinion. Just think Raiders would be better served with a coach that’s younger and more offensive minded. Doesn’t seem like a quick fix for all the needs this team has at so many positions. Hey, just want a step in right direction. Not opposed to anything that helps.
Being a SC fan, I love Pete Carroll, not real happy how he let it get out of control and bailed, but that’s not relevant to the NFL. His age is a factor, it’s going to take 2 years, minimum, to get the team competitive, now he’s 76, maybe closer to eighty to get the team SB good. Still, okay, don’t think it’s optimum. I’m more concerned that he’s a defense guy, and has to bring in an offense guy. If that guy is successful, he’s gone, getting his own HC gig. We are trying to pilfer the Lions offense guy right now. Look around, Andy Reid, offfense, Sean Payton, offense, Jim Harbaugh, offense, Sean McVey, Kevin O’Connell. I know there are exceptions every year, but these guys are always in the mix.
Forget Ben Johnson. Hire Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House. Ol’ Mikey is as offensive a person as can be.
Man carry your azz. Nobody cares to hear from you. You a nobody. So go lay down somewhere and lick on your coochie
Is Pete coming in to groom a younger coach (Johnson) like the Rams did back with Dick Vermeil? he’s old and wise and we will be doing this all over again in a couple years, we need youth and being old bring you wisdom
Ben Johnson ain’t taking no back seat to anyone I don’t care if it was Bill Billichick, if Johnson leaves for the Raiders it’s cause he wants to be the man not the man behind the old man!