Good Vibes in the Desert: How Pete Carroll, Geno Smith, and a Fresh Reputation Are Changing the Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders haven’t exactly been the picture of stability. Fans have had more headaches than highlights between coaching shakeups, legal issues, and locker room drama. But heading into the 2025–26 season, something feels different. And that something is Pete Carroll.

The Raiders hired Carroll in January after a short break from the NFL. At 73, most coaches are done. But Carroll’s energy hasn’t dipped. He’s already running upbeat practices, grinning from ear to ear, and talking about “connection” more than blitzes. Players are buying in. Fans are cautiously optimistic. And for once, the Raiders seem focused on football, not cleaning up a mess.

A Coach Who Brings More Than a Playbook

Pete Carroll’s reputation is simple. He wins games and keeps teams loose. He turned USC into a powerhouse. Then he took Seattle to two Super Bowls and won one. Along the way, he earned a reputation for building strong locker rooms, not just strong playbooks. That’s exactly what the Raiders need. After years of noise, Carroll offers clarity. Players say the atmosphere already feels different.

“You walk into the building and it’s just… lighter,” said one team staffer during minicamp. “Guys are smiling. Pete cracks a joke in every meeting. But then he turns around and hits you with real expectations.”

This blend of energy and accountability has been missing. The Raiders tried authoritarian coaches and player-friendly coaches. Nothing stuck. Now they’re trying Pete. And Pete’s already doing Pete things. The team replaced long film sessions with shorter, more focused ones. Players get daily mindset drills. Coaches hold “competition periods” at practice where even backup corners feel like stars. Everyone’s involved. Nobody’s left out.

A QB Who Feels Right at Home

Geno Smith was written off by most of the league years ago. Then he shocked the NFL by leading Seattle to the playoffs in 2022. Now he’s in Vegas and not just there to babysit a rookie. Carroll and Smith already know each other well. Their Seahawks run built trust. Carroll calls Geno “a warrior,” and Geno calls Pete “the kind of coach who lets you be you.”

That matters in Vegas. The Raiders have had talent at quarterback before. But they haven’t had someone steady. Smith brings experience, poise, and a chip on his shoulder. He’s not just trying to survive. He’s trying to win.

In Seattle, Smith threw 30 touchdowns in 2022 and another 21 in 2023. His completion rate? Nearly 70 percent. He’s accurate, calm under pressure, and doesn’t force the ball. That’s gold in an offense trying to cut down on turnovers. Vegas fans aren’t used to dependable quarterback play. With Smith, they might finally get it.

Cleaning Up the Past, Focusing on the Future

You can’t talk about the Raiders’ reset without mentioning the past. Jon Gruden’s leaked emails. Henry Ruggs’ tragic accident. Front office drama. It was chaos. The organisation spent more time managing headlines than managing the team. In today’s world, it wasn’t just news. It was everywhere. Social media. Talk shows. Even Google searches. They needed online content removal to get through the week.

But that noise is gone now. The front office is stable. The headlines concern workouts and roster moves, not court dates and controversy. Players say it’s easier to focus. Coaches say it’s easier to teach. And fans say it finally feels like a football team again.

Why the Locker Room Believes

Veterans like Maxx Crosby have stuck around for a reason. They believe in what’s being built. Crosby called Carroll’s arrival “a blessing.” Other veterans, who’ve been quiet with the media the past couple of years, have said, “It’s fun to come to work again.”

That’s not nothing. When star players feel engaged, others follow. Carroll’s known for making his captains feel like co-coaches. That style only works if your stars show up—and they have. Even rookies are noticing. One undrafted safety said, “I haven’t been here long, but I can tell people want to win for this staff. Not just with them, for them.”

That shift in tone can turn into real wins. Culture matters when you’re 2-4 and looking for answers. Teams with shaky vibes spiral, while teams with strong leadership bounce back. Carroll knows how to keep guys upright when things get ugly.

What the Stats Say

The Raiders had a solid agency. They signed key linemen, added help at linebacker, and beefed up the secondary. They’re not flashy, but they’re functional. The draft brought more speed, especially on defense. On paper, Vegas isn’t a top-five team. But they’re deeper. More balanced. More prepared. And that shows up in the early numbers.

Sportsbooks now give the Raiders 8.5 projected wins, up from 6.5 last year. ESPN’s power index moved them from 24th to 17th in offseason rankings. That’s not Super Bowl talk, but it’s progress. The Raiders don’t need to be perfect in a division with Mahomes and Herbert. They need to compete. Carroll’s record says he can do that with less talent than most. Please give him a solid base, and he builds winners.

What Comes Next

This isn’t a Cinderella story. The Raiders won’t go 14-3 and cruise through the playoffs. But they don’t need to. What matters is the foundation. Carroll brings that. Geno Smith brings that. A clean locker room, focused front office, and motivated veterans round it out. The Raiders aren’t selling hope for the first time in a long time. They’re building it. Slowly. Consistently. Without shortcuts.

If you’re a Raiders fan, this is your season to enjoy football again. Not because of hype. But because the franchise finally looks like it knows what it’s doing. That’s a reputation worth holding onto.