Raiders predicted to hire Tom Brady's 'old New England friend' to replace Pete Carroll as head coach

Billy Heyen

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Raiders predicted to hire Tom Brady's 'old New England friend' to replace Pete Carroll as head coach image

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Pete Carroll has expressed an interest in returning to the Las Vegas Raiders for 2026.

But after a miserable season that landed the Raiders the No. 1 overall pick, they might opt to move on.

If they do, it's safe to expect minority owner Tom Brady's presence to loom over whatever happens next.

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ESPN's Ben Solak has a thought on the matter: He thinks the Raiders might go after Brian Flores.

"If Carroll goes one-and-done, Brady will call an old New England friend to be head coach: current Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores," Solak writes. "He'll get a well-deserved second crack at a head coaching gig after getting fired by the Dolphins in 2022."

Flores put together a ferocious defense with the Minnesota Vikings this season. It's one that rookie QB Jaxson Dart of the Giants described as "chaos, just chaos."

ESPN's Ryan McFadden, in the same article, provided this update on Carroll's status:

Pete Carroll said he would "love" to return after the worst season of his head coaching career and admitted that a rebuild is necessary for the franchise. Based on his conversations with ownership, including minority owner Tom Brady, Carroll said he still has the organization's support. However, he didn't say whether those conversations mean he will be back on the Raiders' sideline. Given the state of the team, the 74-year-old coach could very well move on.

MORE: Why Browns' nightmare QB history doomed Kevin Stefanski

The Raiders have to figure out quarterback, too. Geno Smith certainly isn't the long-term answer.

Will they go with Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore with the first overall pick? It seems the likely route.

And they could pair the new QB with a new head coach.

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