Las Vegas Raiders' lack of preseason success might not matter, but it is a bad omen for new head coach Pete Carroll

Now, internally, they had some success, because they got to see their starters play good football. They also got to see some players who had a lot to prove, show what they can do. This preseason was valuable for the Raiders. But, there is a stat out there that could really be concerning for Carroll.

It’s probably nothing at all, in fact, it’s likely nothing at all, but why not overreact to it? Kidding, of course.

Raiders head coach Pete Carroll has a bad omen heading into 2025

According to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press, every coach who went winless in the Raiders preseason, went on to be fired later that season. That’s Mike Shanahan in 1989, Hue Jackson in 2011, Jack Del Rio in 2017, and Antonio Pierce in 2024.

Now, I will say, this time feels so much more different than all of those. The first game against the Seattle Seahawks was worrisome, but it made sense that the first team struggled on both sides of the ball because the Raiders hadn’t really done any type of tackling in practice yet.

The last two games had the first team offense and defense looking good, especially the offense, which was the biggest concern. Geno Smith was throwing darts to all of his best receivers, and the rookies made some good plays, too, including Ashton Jeanty, who has already ran over three or four players by now.

The only way Carroll can get fired in 2025, is if he puts together another four win season, like Pierce did last year. Even five wins would be kind of pushing it. Really, he needs to have at least six wins with proof that the team is much better.

If that happens, which I think it will, we shouldn’t be talking about a new regime this time next year.