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Ex-USC Head Coach Pete Carroll's Raiders Blueprint Revealed

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Lorenzo J. Reyna | Last updated Feb 25, 2025 3:11 PM ET

Will Las Vegas Raiders fans see a new "Legion of Boom" under Pete Carroll and mimic his Seattle Seahawks teams? Or will Carroll roll out his past USC blueprint in Sin City?

Fans of the Trojans recall Carroll playing a two-running back system mixed with NFL passing philosophies. Then a defense that watched a cat-quick front four set the tone. Raiders general manager John Spytek, however, doesn't envision Carroll's Raiders team to look like the 'Hawks or Trojans.

The new GM instead revealed what blueprint he's envisioning for Carroll's first Raiders team. He wants the Carroll-led Raiders to emulate this title winner, per Nick Walters of KTNV: The Super Bowl LIX champion Philadelphia Eagles.

"You see what the Eagles did this year. Saquon (Barkley) is a different animal but emphasis on the run game and the physicality that comes with it," Spytek began. "For running backs, people get really caught up with speed. If you could find a Chris Johnson that runs 4.28 and nobody can catch him, great. To me, it’s more about guys who have great instincts, great vision, that are hard to get on the ground."

Spytek wants RBs who can break tackles. Carroll coached his share through Marshawn Lynch with Seattle and LenDale White years earlier at USC. Spytek isn't ruling out speed, though.

"If they can run 4.3, even better," Spytek said. "But I’ve seen a lot of great ones that run the 4.5s or 4.6s and they set the tone for the team so we’re looking for that.”

Sounds like speed isn't the top requirement for the Spytek/Carroll model. They want power and guys who wear down defenses. But a power running game isn't the only blueprint Spytek envisions for Carroll's first Raiders team.

Spytek revealed he's a fan of how the Eagles constructed their defensive line -- which features its mix of speed and power. Philly's front four wore down the Kansas City Chiefs through a relentless pass rush in the 40-22 rout.

The new GM won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He's now working with the Super Bowl XLVIII winning head coach. But the blueprint for 2025 isn't dipping into what worked for Carroll's Seahawk and Trojan teams. Spytek is visualizing the Raiders becoming the new Eagles under Carroll.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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