The Las Vegas Raiders closed the season with a narrow 14-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. But with a 3-14 record, the chatter around Pete Carroll’s future has only grown louder. Many expect him to either be fired or retire, and so, the media questioned him along those lines after the game.

“Nobody’s talked to me about that,” Carroll said during the press conference when asked if he was going to walk away. “I haven’t said a word to anybody.”

When asked if he wanted to return to Las Vegas next season, Carroll didn’t hesitate to drop a two-word message: “Of course.” That sounds like a coach ready to keep working, not walking away from Las Vegas. In fact, he was looking forward to the next season during the press conference.

“I imagine when we come back and put it all together again, and we get better, and we have more competition, and the roster gets harder to make, there’s a good foundation of mentality for us going forward,” he said.

So, this now puts the pressure of making a decision squarely on the Raiders’ owners. If Carroll doesn’t retire, then any change would have to come from the organization itself. It’s not surprising considering that even at 74, Carroll is still competitive, and his energy hasn’t faded. The question is whether the results justify keeping him in Las Vegas.

Yes, the Raiders ended the season with a win, but context matters. They narrowly beat a battered Chiefs team that had already lost star quarterback Patrick Mahomes to an ACL injury. The Week 18 game itself was messy, low-scoring, and heavy on backups, no touchdowns, and plenty of field goals.

Daniel Carlson’s near 55-yard kick early in the fourth quarter of the game gave Las Vegas a 9-6 edge that felt fragile at best. Things briefly swung in the Raiders’ favor when edge rusher Tyree Wilson sacked Chiefs’ QB Shane Buechele for a safety, pushing the lead to 11-6 with under five minutes left. But comfort didn’t last long for Las Vegas. Returner Dylan Laube fumbled a free kick, setting up one of two quick field goals from Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker that nearly flipped the game.

Late drama followed as Buechele connected with wide receiver Hollywood Brown for 51 yards. Then, Raiders’ QB Aidan O’Connell answered by driving his team into long field-goal range. Finally, the game-winning moment came for the Raiders as Carson drilled a 60-yard field goal with eight seconds left in the game.

Pete Carroll jumped, sprinted onto the field, and celebrated the Raiders’ first-ever home win over the Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. 

However, the Week 18 win over the Chiefs should not factor into the Raiders’ decision-making on Carroll’s future. One more win should not shape a long-term decision in Las Vegas. Reports have already suggested that the Raiders, with minority owner Tom Brady heavily involved, are leaning toward moving on from Carroll. 

Will Tom Brady fire Pete Carroll before the 2026 season?

The Raiders finished 3-14, earned the top draft pick, and dealt with what insiders describe as a chaotic internal environment this season. Players may respect Pete Carroll, but sources point to a serious disconnect between the coaching staff and the front office. That gap has reportedly impacted game-day execution and personnel decisions in Las Vegas, leading to only three wins in 17 games.

And NFL insider Jordan Schultz’s report only added fuel to the rumors surrounding Carroll’s firing. 

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“The expectation is that #Raiders HC Pete Carroll will be one-and-done in Las Vegas — whether that ends up being a firing or a retirement. The Raiders’ coaching search is expected to cast a wide net, with Tom Brady involved,” he mentioned on X a day ago.

Pete Carroll has posted the worst record of his coaching career with the Raiders this season, even with his former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith on the roster. This season, the Raiders even regressed from last season’s 4-13 finish. Meanwhile, Tom Brady’s close relationship with the Raiders’ general manager, John Spytek, reportedly positions him as a key voice in advising owner Mark Davis on the team’s next coach.

Moreover, there is a potential franchise QB in Fernando Mendoza on the horizon and a full rebuild looming in Las Vegas. A clear reset seems inevitable in Las Vegas, but Carroll has made one thing clear: he isn’t leaving on his own.

Now the Raiders’ owners must decide whether Carroll truly fits the new direction that the team will take next season. What do you think?