Latest On Raiders’ Pete Carroll, John Spytek
DECEMBER 9: Several NFL executives predict Carroll will wind up being a one-and-done Raiders coach, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post writes. If that holds true, it will be interesting to see if another NFL gig winds up presenting itself during the 2026 hiring cycle.
DECEMBER 8: After finishing a dismal 4-13 last season, the Raiders fired head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco. Their replacements, Pete Carroll and John Spytek, are on pace to produce similarly poor results in 2025. At 2-11, the Raiders are tied with the Giants and Titans for the NFL’s worst record with four games remaining.
Although Carroll joined the Raiders with plenty of past success under his belt, he’s already on the hot seat. Carroll has fired two key assistants – offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, then the league’s highest-paid OC, and special teams coach Tom McMahon – in what has been a nightmarish season. With the Raiders having lost seven in a row, Carroll’s reshuffling of the coaching staff hasn’t worked.
Despite the Raiders’ struggles, Carroll hasn’t lost any desire to continue coaching, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. Already the oldest head coach in league history, Caroll will roam the sidelines at the age of 75 if he returns in 2026. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Raiders move on from Carroll after this season, Jones says.
While Carroll’s Raiders tenure may go down as a one-and-done stint, the same isn’t true for Spytek. The 45-year-old “will continue to be considered safe,” Jones reports. That isn’t a surprise when considering Spytek’s ties to Raiders part-owner Tom Brady, who wields heavy influence over the franchise’s decisions.
Spytek and Brady were college teammates at the University of Michigan. Their paths crossed again when Spytek was a bigwig in the Buccaneers’ front office and Brady was their quarterback from 2020-22.
A few days after hiring Spytek, the Raiders brought in Carroll, who initially had reservations about the job. Carroll said Brady’s presence “shifted my thought about what this opportunity was about.” Expectations were that the Mark Davis-owned Raiders would afford the former Super Bowl winner a longer leash than they gave Pierce and Josh McDaniels, their most recent full-time head coaches. Pierce lasted 26 games (seven in an interim role), while McDaniels was in charge for 25. Carroll may not make it that far.
If the Raiders fire Carroll, they could wind up in the unenviable position of searching for a new head coach and a different starting quarterback for the second straight offseason. The modest success Carroll and former Seahawks starter Geno Smith had together in Seattle has not transferred to Las Vegas. Hoping he would provide a short-term answer under center, the Raiders traded a third-round pick for Smith last April and immediately gave him a two-year, $75MM extension. The move has backfired, though, with the 35-year-old performing like one of the league’s worst QBs this season. If Carroll isn’t safe, Smith might not be either.
Raiders CB Kyu Blu Kelly Out For Season
Kyu Blu Kelly‘s first season with the Raiders has come to an end in unwanted fashion. The third-year cornerback suffered a knee injury yesterday and he will not return in 2025.
Kelly was carted off the field during Vegas’ Week 14 loss to Denver. That suggested a lengthy absence could be in store, and testing has confirmed that is indeed the case. Kelly suffered a torn patellar tendon, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
As Garafolo adds, no ligament damage was suffered in this case. That represents only a small consolation in the near term, of course, but it means Kelly should be able to recover in time for the start of next season. Doing so would be critical given his emergence as a key figure in the Raiders’ secondary over the course of this year’s campaign.
A sixth-round pick of the Ravens in 2023, Kelly was placed on waivers during roster cutdowns that summer. The UCLA product was claimed by the Seahawks, although that move did not result in a lengthy stint in Seattle. Kelly found himself on waivers twice more as a rookie, spending time with the Packers and Commanders along the way. Since September of last year, however, the Vegas native has been with his hometown team.
Kelly played sparingly while only making four appearances in 2024. This season has been much different, as shuffling in the secondary helped pave the way for a larger workload. Taking on a starting role through much of the campaign, Kelly set career highs across the board with 40 tackles, three interceptions and six pass deflections. The 24-year-old will certainly have a degree of momentum heading into the offseason.
Kelly is set to be an exclusive rights restricted free agent this spring. Given his level of play in 2025, it would come as no surprise if the Raiders were to tender him and by doing so ensure he remains in the fold for next season. Week 1 of 2026 is the earliest point at which Kelly will be able to resume his promising Vegas tenure.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/6/25
Here are the minor moves and standard gameday practice squad elevations for the Week 14 Sunday slate:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: LB Channing Tindall
- Elevated: WR Jalen Brooks, WR Trent Sherfield
- Placed on IR: WR Greg Dortch
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed to active roster: WR Deven Thompkins
- Elevated: CB C.J. Henderson
- Placed on IR: S DeMarcco Hellams
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: S Sanoussi Kane, DT Josh Tupou
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: DE Morgan Fox, LB Baylon Spector
Chicago Bears
- Signed to active roster: OL Jordan McFadden
- Elevated: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
- Waived: LB Carl Jones Jr.
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: DE K.J. Henry
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: TE Marcedes Lewis
- Elevated: LB Jordan Turner
- Waived: LB Garret Wallow
Houston Texans
- Elevated: CB Alijah Huzzie, DT Haggai Ndubuisi
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed to active roster: S Mike Edwards
- Elevated: G C.J. Hanson
- Placed on IR: S Christian Roland-Wallace
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: WR Shedrick Jackson, WR DJ Turner
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: OL Kion Smith
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: QB John Wolford
- Elevated: CB Dwight McGlothern Jr., DT Taki Taimani
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: WR Kevin Austin, K Charlie Smyth
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: QB Brady Cook, CB Jordan Clark
- Elevated: CB Tre Brown, CB Nik Needham
- Placed on IR: CB Jarvis Brownlee, LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: T Dylan Cook, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: RB Velus Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: S Marcus Banks
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DE DeMarcus Walker
Dort becomes Arizona’s 26th placement on injures reserve this year. The Cardinals’ receiving corps has been stretched thin with Marvin Harrison Jr. out with a heel injury and Zay Jones on injured reserve with an injured Achilles tendon.
Earning more and more responsibility over the course of his sophomore campaign, former undrafted free agent Roland-Wallace will unfortunately head to IR after starting in the Chiefs’ two most recent contests. As a roaming safety, he’s been functioning lately as a nickelback alongside the versatile pair of starting safeties behind him.
With Bosa set to miss this weekend’s game with a hamstring injury, Fox has been called up from the practice squad in Buffalo to help bolster a thin group of defensive ends.
Smyth gets the call again this week as the primary placekicker in New Orleans. He’ll be kicking in his second straight game following the team’s dismissal of Blake Grupe.
For Spector in Buffalo, this will be his third elevation this season, meaning the Bills will need to sign him to the active roster in order for him to appear in another game in 2025. The same is true of Turner in Denver, Hanson in Kansas City, and Banks in Tampa Bay. On the other side of that, Tindall in Arizona, Lewis in Jacksonville, and Cook in New York were all signed to 53-man rosters today after they used up their three allotted practice squad elevations.
Jets, Raiders, Browns Among Suitors For First-Round QBs
While there’s still five weeks to go in the regular season, a handful of teams are already eyeing the 2026 campaign. These bottom dwellers will have a quarterback atop their list of offseason needs, and these franchises will also be primed to pursue the position via the first round of the draft.
A recent ESPN article took an early look at the 2026 draft and identified three organizations that could turn to first-round quarterbacks: the Jets, Raiders, and Browns.
The Jets are an obvious suitor for a quarterback. However, with the front office now armed with multiple first-round picks in both 2026 and 2027 (thanks to the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades), Rich Cimini says there’s a chance the Jets decide to kick the can down the road a bit. Both coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey will naturally feel some pressure to improve the team’s outlook ASAP, but Cimini notes that they’d only pursue the position if they have “conviction” in a particular player.
The Raiders are another obvious landing spot for a quarterback considering Geno Smith‘s struggles in 2025. Ryan McFadden says that even if Smith is leading the depth chart in 2026, the front office will strongly consider “a succession plan.” Plus, with Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers in place, it’s in the organization’s best interest to add a young signal caller to the mix sooner than later.
The Browns’ situation is a bit more complex. Deshaun Watson will surely be back considering his hefty dead cap hit, and the team is also evaluating rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel as potential options at the position. Daniel Oyefusi notes that the front office may find themselves behind a handful of QB-needy teams in the draft, but with two first-round picks in their possession (and 10 picks overall), the Browns will be well positioned to move up if necessary.
Two other teams were mentioned as suitors for quarterbacks, although reporters weren’t as convinced that those front offices would actually pull the trigger. Sarah Barshop acknowledged that Matthew Stafford‘s retirement is rapidly approaching, and the team will be well positioned to select a QB since they have a pair of first-round selections. Considering the Rams’ contender status, Barshop is ultimately skeptical if the franchise will pursue the position in the first round. Even if they do, the reporter doesn’t believe the hypothetical QB would start as a rookie.
Meanwhile, Field Yates lists the Cardinals as a franchise that could pursue the position, and the reporter points to the fact that the front office could easily get out of the Kyler Murray contract. Yates believes the Cardinals may be a better fit for a veteran signal caller, although the reporter says the front office will at least “do its quarterback homework in the draft.”
A handful of highly touted quarterbacks like Arch Manning, LaNorris Sellers, and Cade Klubnik have slipped a bit in 2025, leading to some question marks atop the positional draft class. ESPN’s Jordan Reid believes there will be three QBs with first-round grades: Oregon’s Dante Moore, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, and Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/4/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Jamin Davis
Miami Dolphins
- Suspended: WR A.J. Henning
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Kevin Austin, OL Barry Wesley
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Tomon Fox
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LB Titus Leo
Dolphins practice squad receiver A.J. Henning was hit with a suspension today for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances, per ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques. It’s uncertain how long the ban will last. The UDFA out of Northwestern hasn’t gotten into a game this season. He joined the Dolphins back in May and hauled in three catches during the preseason.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/3/25
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Bryson Green, RB Jermar Jefferson
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Will Sheppard
Houston Texans
- Signed: T Jaylon Thomas
Indianapolis Colts
- Released: C Jimmy Morrissey
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Austin Trammell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: T Matt Waletzko
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Jamin Davis, WR Brenden Rice
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Joaquin Davis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Kana’i Mauga
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: T Logan Brown, RB Myles Gaskin
Jefferson, Sheppard, and Trammell all found themselves signing to the practice squads of the teams that waived them two days ago. Having cleared waivers, the free agents returned to their lockers as members of the taxi squad.
Indianapolis cut Morrissey today in order to make room for kicker Blake Grupe, whom they signed yesterday. Grupe should be in line to take over kicking duties following the waiving of Michael Badgley yesterday, while Spencer Shrader remains on injured reserve.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/2/25
Twenty-one different teams made practice squad transactions on Tuesday. Here are the latest updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: RB Montrell Johnson, RB Sincere McCormick
- Signed: LB Eku Leota
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB William Kwenkeu, RB Jonathan Ward
- Placed on practice squad IR: LB Chandler Martin
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DE Andre Jones
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: CB Jalen Kimber
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DT Simeon Barrow, G Jack Conley, RB Ahmani Marshall, LB Mark Robinson
- Placed on practice squad IR: DE Julian Okwara
- Released: LB Eugene Asante
Denver Broncos
- Released: WR Kyrese Rowan
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Shemar Bartholomew
- Released: CB Tyron Herring, WR Michael Woods
Houston Texans
- Signed: OLB Xavier Thomas
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: K Greg Joseph
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: C Josh Kaltenberger, OT Foster Sarell
- Released: WR Luke Grimm, OT David Sharpe
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: OL Wyatt Bowles
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OL Kion Smith
- Released: OL Braeden Daniels
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: QB Desmond Ridder
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: CB Beanie Bishop
- Released: RB Ian Wheeler
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Samuel Womack
- Released: WR Brandon Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: DB Parry Nickerson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DB Daequan Hardy
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OLB Ja’Markis Weston
- Released: C Doug Kramer, WR Brenden Rice
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: RB Owen Wright
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Kristian Wilkerson
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR Robbie Chosen
- Released: LS Zach Triner
With J.J. McCarthy close to a return from his concussion, the Vikings parted ways with Ridder. He was signed last week after McCarthy entered concussion protocol, but was not elevated to back up Max Brosmer in Week 13. That responsibility instead went to John Wolford, who remains in Minnesota.
Bishop was released by the Steelers at the beginning of November. After appearing all 17 games last year with a 50% snap share, he did not make the 53-man roster this season and remained on the practice squad. He will now join the Saints in the hopes of making his 2025 debut in New Orleans.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/2/25
Several NFL teams made minor roster on Tuesday as they prepare for crucial Week 14 games with major playoff implications. Here are the latest updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed off Vikings’ practice squad: RB Corey Kiner
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: CB Kalen King
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DT Sam Kamara
- Placed on IR: DT Maliek Collins (story)
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: CB Terrion Arnold (story)
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: CB Ameer Speed
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: LB Jamin Davis
- Signed to active roster: CB Greedy Vance
New York Giants
- Waived: OLB Tomon Fox
New York Jets
- Waived (with injury settlement): DE Byron Cowart
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: RB Myles Gaskin
Updated 2026 NFL Draft Order
Week 12 saw the Giants become the first team in the NFL to be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Based on Sunday’s results, another two teams from each conference saw their postseason chances officially come to an end.
The Titans, Saints, Raiders and Cardinals have now been eliminated as well. Attention in the case of those teams will increasingly turn toward the offseason. For some, questions about changes at the quarterback spot will be ongoing through the spring. Free agency is not expected to include many notable options, so the draft will be sought out in several instances as a means of finding a 2026 starter.
Of course, the incoming class of passers has largely underwhelmed this season. That has led to uncertainty regarding the ceiling for many of the top prospects at the quarterback position. Nevertheless, supply often outweighs demand at the top of the Day 1 order in the NFL draft. How things shake out over the closing weeks of the season will be key in determining which QB-needy teams find themselves in the best position to select a new QB1.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2025 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. Playoff squads are slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular season record.
Here is an early look at the first-round order:
- Tennessee Titans (1-11)
- New York Giants (2-11)
- New Orleans Saints (2-10)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
- Cleveland Browns (3-9)
- Washington Commanders (3-9)
- New York Jets (3-9)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
- Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
- Minnesota Vikings (4-8)
- Miami Dolphins (5-7)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)
- Carolina Panthers (7-6)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
- Detroit Lions (7-5)
- Houston Texans (7-5)
- Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
- Buffalo Bills (8-4)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
- New York Jets (via Colts)
- San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
- Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)
- Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)
- Seattle Seahawks (9-3)
- Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
- Denver Broncos (10-2)
- Chicago Bears (9-3)
- New England Patriots (11-2)
Raiders HC Pete Carroll On Hot Seat?
Pete Carroll became the NFL’s oldest head coaching hire this past offseason when he was brought in by the Raiders. His return to the sidelines has not gone well, though, and it remains to be seen if a second Vegas season will be in store. 
Carroll has already dismissed two coordinators – Tom McMahon (special teams) and Chip Kelly (offense) – this month. The Raiders sit at 2-10 at this point, and plenty of work will need to be done in the spring to improve the current roster. At 74, Carroll may not been seen as a strong fit for a rebuilding process.
The Super Bowl winner took a three-year contract to join the Raiders. Expectations for a relatively strong debut season were based in large part on the success Carroll had with quarterback Geno Smith. The two were reunited when Smith was acquired via trade, but that move has not yielded the desired results. Smith’s 13 interceptions lead the NFL, and finding consistent production on offense has proven to be a challenge.
Vegas will enter free agency and the draft this spring with questions about the team’s long-term outlook under center, but by that point another change on the sidelines may have taken place. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes (video link) Carroll is on the hot seat. A Saturday Rapoport report detailed the extent to which Carroll influenced the Raiders’ offense in 2025 and the tension it caused with Kelly. With notable firings having been made in-season, it will be interesting to see if Carroll remains in place for next year.
Instability on the sidelines and in the front office has been a defining characteristic of the Raiders during their time in Vegas. The team will look for a period of consistency with general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady (whose voice carries more weight than his title would imply) through the remainder of this season and beyond. Replacing Carroll would constitute a swing and miss from that duo while also continuing an unwanted trend of short HC tenures.
Since Jon Gruden‘s 2021 resignation, the Raiders have cycled through Rich Bisaccia, Josh McDaniels, Antonio Pierce and now Carroll as head coaches. A positive end to the season would quiet the talk surrounding a potential switch on the sidelines, although Vegas does not face high expectation in that respect.