The Raiders fired Pete Carroll after just one season.
Now the team is suddenly giving their new head coach the support Carroll never received.

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Raiders Giving Klint Kubiak the Support Pete Carroll Never Got in Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Raiders appear to be taking a very different approach with their new head coach Klint Kubiak—and the contrast with how they treated Pete Carroll is already raising eyebrows across the NFL.

Just one offseason after Carroll arrived in Las Vegas hoping to spark a culture shift, the veteran coach found himself working with a roster that many believed lacked the pieces needed to compete. Now, only a year later, the Raiders seem determined not to repeat that mistake.

Their latest move could be a clear sign of that change.

Raiders Make Major Upgrade for Kubiak

Las Vegas recently agreed to terms with three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, a major addition to an offensive line that struggled throughout last season.

For Kubiak, the signing is huge.

The Raiders’ offensive line was widely considered one of the weakest units in the league during Carroll’s lone season with the team. Protecting the quarterback and establishing a consistent run game proved nearly impossible.

Linderbaum, however, immediately changes the equation.

The star center has missed only two games in his career and has established himself as one of the most reliable interior linemen in football. His presence should stabilize the offensive line and give the Raiders’ offense a much stronger foundation.

It’s exactly the type of move many believe Carroll needed—but never received.

Kubiak Arrives With Championship Momentum

Kubiak enters the Raiders job with impressive credentials.

Before arriving in Las Vegas, he served as the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator in 2025, helping guide the team to a Super Bowl championship. His offensive philosophy balanced the run and pass effectively, a system that head coach Mike Macdonald relied on heavily.

That same approach could prove especially valuable in Las Vegas.

The Raiders are expected to draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, meaning the offense will likely be built around a rookie quarterback.

A balanced scheme—combined with a stronger offensive line—could make that transition much smoother.

Raiders Reset the Quarterback Situation

Another major shift came when Las Vegas moved on from Geno Smith, who spent only one season with the team.

The Raiders appear ready to start fresh at the position, potentially building their offense around Mendoza and giving Kubiak the time needed to develop the young quarterback.

That patience is something Carroll never really had.

A Different Strategy From Ownership

The Raiders’ aggressive offseason approach may also signal a new strategy from the organization’s leadership group, which includes Tom Brady as a minority owner.

During Carroll’s tenure, the team leaned heavily into familiar connections. Several former Seattle Seahawks players—including Tyler Lockett and Jamal Adams—were brought in, creating a roster that looked surprisingly similar to Carroll’s former team.

But the results didn’t follow.

Now the Raiders appear focused on upgrading the roster with players who directly strengthen key positions, rather than simply relying on past relationships.

The signing of Linderbaum fits that new philosophy perfectly.

A Fresh Opportunity for Kubiak

While Carroll was tasked with turning around the franchise, he was never given the roster improvements needed to truly compete.

Kubiak, on the other hand, is stepping into a situation where the organization appears committed to building around him.

With a likely rookie quarterback, a newly upgraded offensive line, and a front office willing to spend aggressively, the new head coach may have a much better chance to succeed.

And if the Raiders’ offseason moves continue at this pace, Klint Kubiak could soon find himself in a position Pete Carroll never truly had in Las Vegas—a real opportunity to win.