The Las Vegas Raiders needed to make drastic changes this offseason if they wanted to compete in a brutal AFC West division. After a four-win campaign in 2024, they did just that by hiring Pete Carroll to be the team's next head coach.
While many questioned the signing of a 73-year-old leader, he and new general manager John Spytek worked tirelessly through the draft and the offseason to improve this roster.
Despite his age, Carroll is still feeling and appearing quite young as well. This viral video of him wrestling Raiders offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. during warmups of OTAs on Wednesday should serve as evidence of this.
This is not typical NFL head coach behavior, especially for one of Carroll's age. However, the footage was met with a positive reception about the coach's energy.
"Pete Carroll with receiver gloves on and trying to pin an O-lineman like a WWE match on the field," ESPN's Field Yates responded. "This man rules."
"You don’t like this guy, you got something wrong with you," a fan replied.
"It is really great watching Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll bring all his abundance of energy to the practice field," another said.
'A completely different energy that this team has had in decades," one fan wrote.
Las Vegas Raiders HC Pete Carroll and DE Maxx Crosby (98).
Las Vegas Raiders HC Pete Carroll and DE Maxx Crosby (98).
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
"Pete has found the fountain of youth!" a fan exclaimed. "I want to be like him when I’m that age."
"We've talked a lot about the energy Pete Carroll brings to the #Raiders and it's so easy to see how quickly he's built up a strong bond with his team," wrote Jesse Merrick from News3LV. "How is this dude 73?!"
"You would think he’s in his 50s lol love this dude," a fan said.
"Love to see Pete still as energetic as ever mann," a Seahawks fan reacted. "Miss him in Seattle."
Carroll still has a long way to go if he wants to turn around this Las Vegas team, but he is clearly on the right track through Phase 3 of the Raiders' offseason program. Geno Smith and Ashton Jeanty are incredible upgrades as well, so the team's offense should be massively improved.
The Raiders open up their season on the road against the New England Patriots on September 7, who are also led by a new head coach, Mike Vrabel.