Pete Carroll, 74, is the oldest head coach in NFL history. Even during one of his worst seasons, Carroll intends to return in 2026.
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. Las Vegas Raiders
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., in Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
Record: 2-8.
Last game: Lost to Dallas Cowboys, 33-16, November 17, in Las Vegas.
Coach: Pete Carroll, 2-8, first year; 183-137-1 overall.
Series record: Raiders lead, 18-10 (counting postseason).
Last meeting: Raiders won, 20-16, September 29, 2024, in Las Vegas.
League rankings: Offense is 30th overall (30th rushing, 25th passing), defense is 17th overall (15th rushing, 19th passing) and turnover differential is plus-1.
Things to watch
1. All of the Raiders’ offensive problems start up front. The line wasn’t strong to begin with, but now both its best players, tackle Kolton Miller and guard Jackson Powers-Johnson, are on injured reserve. As a result, quarterback Geno Smith is constantly under siege and promising first-round running back Ashton Jeanty is struggling at 3.7 yards per rush. All of which has cranked up the heat on offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who, at $6 million-a-year, is reportedly the highest-paid OC in the NFL.
2. Smith, 35, leads the NFL with 13 interceptions, is 21st in passing yards per game (208.2) and 30th with a passer ranking of 80.9. But he is in NO danger of being benched. Smith was given a two-year extension when he was acquired in trade from the Seahawks at Carroll’s behest. His $66.5 million in guarantees virtually assures his place as QB1 through 2026. So don’t expect to see Kenny Pickett when the Browns play on Sunday. More likely is that Aiden O’Connell will be activated as QB2. O’Connell’s three-week window to be activated from injured reserve is due, and he is expected to be activated to the 53.
3. Besides the O-line problems, Smith’s task was exacerbated by the trade of WR1 Jakobi Meyers to the Jaguars at the NFL trade deadline. Smith’s targets now are limited to tight end Brock Bowers (39 receptions, 455 yards, 3 TD), Jeanty (29, 163, 3) and receiver Tre Tucker (38, 502, 5)
4. Edge rusher Maxx Crosby (6 sacks, 14 TFLs, 12 quarterback hits) is the Raiders’ best player on defense. He just doesn’t have enough surrounding him to consistently change a game. And, like Myles Garrett, he faces constant double- and triple-teams. The other playmaker is safety Jeremy Chinn, the team’s second-leading tackler.
5. Kicker Daniel Carlson had been struggling on field goals. The Raiders signed ex-Browns kicker Greg Joseph to the practice squad to light a fire under Carlson. He proceeded to go 3 for 3 on field goals against the Cowboys. Mission accomplished.
Did you know … ?
1. Shedeur Sanders was a frequent mock draft selection for the Raiders because of his past association with minority owner Tom Brady, but the Raiders passed on Sanders in the draft. Brady, who mentored Sanders in private workouts during his college career and whose TB12 company signed Sanders to a big NIL deal when Sanders was at Colorado, has never been quoted about why the Raiders passed on Sanders.
2. Brady’s investment in Raiders ownership is about 5% and his partner, financier Tom Wagner, owns another 5%. Majority owner Mark Davis wants Brady to take a more active role in football operations, but Brady’s time is limited due to his role as FOX No. 1 football analyst. Some believe Brady’s full-time job eventually will be as Raiders managing partner. But that might not be for several years.
3. Pete Carroll, 74, the NFL’s oldest coach, signed a three-year contract after Brady’s pursuit of Ben Johnson fell short. Carroll has no intention of retiring. His future is muddied because there seems to be a disconnect with GM John Spytek (Brady’s former Michigan teammate) about playing veterans v. developing younger players. The belief is Carroll is safe unless Brady/Spytek fall in love with a coach in the next hiring cycle.
4. On the surface, it would appear the Raiders should be involved in the quarterback draft market. However, they have an affinity for Notre Dame redshirt freshman QB C.J. Carr, who is the grandson of Lloyd Carr, the former coach of Spytek and Brady at Michigan. Carr isn’t NFL-eligible until 2027. So it’s entirely feasible the Raiders will pass on a quarterback in the 2026 draft and monitor Carr’s progress next year.
5. The Raiders have been based in Oakland, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The Browns are 4-7 in Oakland, 3-1 in Los Angeles, and 0-1 in Las Vegas.
Small world: Quarterback Kenny Pickett was traded by Browns in August for a fifth-round draft pick in 2026 … running back Raheem Mostert played for Browns in 2015 … guard Jordan Mereditch was on Browns practice squad in 2022 … pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach Joe Woods was Browns defensive coordinator 2020-22 … assistant offensive line coach Andy Dickerson was Browns O-line coach in 2024 … tight ends coach Luke Steckel was Browns assistant to the head coach in 2009-12.