The Las Vegas Raiders’ search for a head coach continues, with many people already being interviewed and others expected to come in. However, since Ben Johnson took the Chicago Bears job, former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has seemingly emerged as the favorite to be the next Raiders coach.
While there is some concern over his age, as he would be the oldest head coach in NFL history should he be hired, there is no denying the success Carroll has had throughout his career. The Raiders are looking to build a winning culture, and Carroll is capable of doing so. While nothing is certain, there are already rumors about who could be part of his potential staff.
On the latest episode of The Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast, Hondo Carpenter revealed that Carroll could bring in Gus Bradley, who was the Raiders defensive coordinator back in 2021, on his staff in that same role:
“There’s a good chance if [Carroll] were to come, he may bring Gus Bradley. Now literally just a few moments ago, I was talking to an executive who told me that he is hearing that Carroll would bring his sons over to be part of his staff. What about reuniting with Gus Bradley, who the Raider players absolutely love? That’s certainly a possibility with Patrick Graham moving on.”
Of course, Bradley had his greatest success in Seattle, where he was the defensive coordinator for the Seahawks under Carroll from 2009 to 2012. During that time, Bradley helped build up the famed ‘Legion of Boom’ defense, which was the best in the league at the time. This ultimately got him a head coaching job with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013.
Bradley joined the Raiders in 2021 as defensive coordinator under Jon Gruden and the defense did rank in the top half of the league in yards allowed, but was 26th in points allowed. However, that Raiders team did make the playoffs that year, and the defense was strong down the stretch.
It makes sense that Carroll would want to bring in someone he is comfortable with in a new place, and Bradley, as a coordinator, knows what he is doing. If the Raiders do indeed go in this direction, it will simply be a matter of replicating that success in Las Vegas.
Could the Titans be eyeing Raiders CB Nate Hobbs in free agency?
The Raiders also need to find a new general manager to help build this roster. The team also has some free agents to consider retaining. One of the most important is CB Nate Hobbs, who has been one of the best players on the defense.
Hobbs is one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL. A recent report noted that the Tennessee Titans could be interested in him. They need another cornerback and potentially have the money to lure him away from Las Vegas.
