Carroll Calls for Return to Basics as Raiders Struggle in Early Season
In the midst of a challenging 1-4 start to his tenure as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, Pete Carroll is advocating for a return to fundamental football principles. At Wednesday’s news conference, Carroll offered a candid assessment of the team’s offensive struggles ahead of their Week 6 matchup against the equally struggling Tennessee Titans. Without directly naming offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, Carroll made it clear that the play-calling needs significant improvement. “We have to run the football better, more,” Carroll emphasized. “The running game has looked well in order right now, we need to get more of them. That’s part of it. That’s just mixing football.” His comments reflect a growing frustration with an offense that ranks near the bottom of the league, averaging just 16.6 points per game—a disappointing 30th out of 32 NFL teams.
Carroll’s vision for the Raiders stands in stark contrast to the current offensive approach. He stressed the importance of a balanced attack rather than relying exclusively on quarterback Geno Smith to carry the offensive burden. “We don’t ever want to rely on the quarterback has to do the whole show, sitting in the shotgun, throw the football. Never coach that way,” Carroll explained. This philosophy appears to be a direct challenge to Kelly’s current offensive scheme, suggesting a disconnect between the head coach’s preferred strategy and what’s being implemented on the field. By emphasizing the need to “mix our stuff so we can use our play action game,” Carroll is advocating for a more traditional approach that has defined much of his coaching success throughout his career.
The relationship between rookie running back Ashton Jeanty and the Raiders’ offensive identity stands at the center of Carroll’s concerns. The coach spoke positively about Jeanty’s recent development, noting that the rookie is beginning to stretch opposing defenses in ways that should open up the passing game. This praise comes after Jeanty’s breakthrough performance against the Chicago Bears in Week 4, where he rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown, demonstrating why the Raiders selected him with the sixth overall pick. However, in the team’s most recent defeat—a lopsided 40-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts—the Raiders abandoned the run early despite Jeanty gaining 67 yards on 14 carries, suggesting a disconnect between Carroll’s stated philosophy and the team’s in-game adjustments.
Carroll notably defended quarterback Geno Smith while subtly placing responsibility on Kelly for the offense’s underperformance. “And we’ve got to make sure that we’re calling all the best stuff in the situations,” Carroll stated. “He’s not calling the plays. We’ve got to call them and we’ve got to make sure and get him in the right spots and give him the best chance to stay out of harm’s way.” This public statement represents a significant moment in the young season, as Carroll appears to be putting Kelly on notice about the need to put the offense in better situations. The comments are particularly noteworthy given Kelly’s impressive resume, which includes a national championship with Ohio State this past January, suggesting that even decorated coaches aren’t immune to criticism when results don’t align with expectations.
The tension between Carroll’s preferred approach and the current offensive scheme highlights broader questions about the Raiders’ identity moving forward. Carroll’s successful tenure with the Seattle Seahawks was built on a foundation of strong defensive play complemented by a physical running game—a formula that seems far removed from Las Vegas’s current approach. Kelly, at 61, brings his own distinctive offensive philosophy shaped through years of innovation at both the college and professional levels. The apparent philosophical differences between these two accomplished coaches create an intriguing dynamic as the Raiders attempt to salvage their season. With both Carroll and Kelly having achieved significant success using different approaches, the coming weeks may reveal whose vision ultimately shapes the team’s offensive identity.
Sunday’s game against the Titans represents a critical juncture for the Raiders to implement Carroll’s recommended adjustments. All eyes will be on whether the team increases Jeanty’s workload and commits more consistently to the running game, even if they face early deficits. The rookie running back’s development could be key to unlocking the offensive potential Carroll envisions, creating the balanced attack he believes necessary for success. How Kelly responds to this public challenge from his head coach will be equally telling. For a team sitting at 1-4, finding common ground between these two coaching philosophies isn’t just a matter of professional courtesy—it may well determine whether the Raiders can turn around their season and establish the foundation for longer-term success under Carroll’s leadership.
