Raiders HC Pete Carroll remains optimistic about job security, but he shouldn't be

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll remains a Pollyanna. 

The Raiders are now 2-12 after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, 31-0, in Week 15. However, on Monday, the coach said he doesn't believe he'll be coaching for his job for the last three games of the regular season.

The Super Bowl-winning coach should be much more concerned about his job security. After the Raiders hired him this offseason, the former Seattle Seahawks HC said the team was "going to win a bunch." So much for that promise. 

How Pete Carroll has disappointed as Raiders HC

"Blindly optimistic as I am, I thought we could come in and have a big factor on this club, and find success that we would be proud of," Carroll said. "Right now, it doesn't feel like that."

Since upsetting the 11-3 New England Patriots 20-13 in Week 1, the Raiders have had little to celebrate this season. Not even rookie running back Ashton Jeanty (pick No. 6) has provided much excitement, averaging a subpar 3.5 yards per carry (700 yards). 

The Raiders aren't faring any better than they did under former HC Antonio Pierce, who was fired after going 4-13 in his lone season as a full-time HC in 2024. 

Last season, the Raiders finished 29th in the NFL in points scored (18.2) and tied for 25th in points allowed (25.5). After 15 weeks this season, they rank last in the league in points scored (14 PPG) and 25th in points surrendered (25.9).

Carroll and first-year general manager John Spytek have made questionable moves that have contributed to the team's struggles. They hired former failed Eagles HC Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator, which didn't work out. The team fired him following a 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 12. 

In March, Carroll and Spytek acquired quarterback Geno Smith from the Seahawks, who played for the HC for four seasons in Seattle. That move looks like another flop. The QB ranks 32nd among 33 eligible QBs in QBR (32.4). 

Will Raiders retain Pete Carroll this offseason? 

To cut Carroll slack, the Raiders — who last won a playoff game during the 2002 season — haven't been a model organization for more than 20 years. That still doesn't justify the team's performance this season. 

In a video posted Monday, ESPN's Ryan McFadden said the Raiders and Carroll are likely heading for a divorce this offseason. Moving on from the HC would be understandable. 

Carroll's optimism is an admirable quality. However, the Raiders need way more than positive thinking to turn things around.