The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off the heels of a 31-0 defeat at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite how things fared this past weekend, the team is entering their bye week ready to re-energize and reconfigure. Take a look at what Head Coach Pete Carroll said regarding the team Monday morning.
On early season woes:
“I’m surprised that we’re not farther along than we are. I thought we would be, and I anticipated being farther along and being cleaner with our game. What I’m trying to show you is that we can play really balanced football, meaning that all three phases can do their part and give us a chance to play the game where we’re not giving the game away.”
On Geno Smith’s recent play:
“I think he’s turning the corner. He was clean yesterday with the ball in his opportunities. He didn’t get many chances. We just didn’t have any plays. There just were no plays. And so, stacking games and pushing the history of this early part of the season farther away from us, it helps. He’s as competitive as ever. He’s raring to go. He’s frustrated because we want to win, and we want to play big and all that. That’s going to always hold him connected to that thought. But he’s ready to go and we need to build it up around him. He can’t do all of it by himself.”
On his evaluation on young pass catchers stepping up:
“Carter Runyon caught his first ball there. The ball in the first series right off the bat. He’s out there playing football for us and he’s contributing to special teams. He’s one of the guys that’s really helped us in special teams since he’s been up. And so, yeah, it helps. The more plays that we can log with the new guys, Jack [Bech] and Dont’e [Thornton Jr.], we can show them the things that they need to improve on and the things that they’re not quite as sharp on. It helps them. And there’s some pain in that too. There’s some pain in there that we have to undergo. But it’s how you do it. By the time you get to the middle of the season, these guys should have things really cleaned up, and they should be ready to go and we can count on them. … And that’s what we’re working hard at.”
On trying to forge team’s identity:
Carroll’s postgame tone struck a chord with fans and players alike. The Raiders, a team still defining its identity under his leadership, needed this reset. “You can feel it in the locker room,” veteran linebacker Robert Spillane told reporters. “It’s not frustration — it’s hunger. We know we’ve got the pieces. We just haven’t put the full picture together yet.”
For Carroll, the bye week isn’t just rest — it’s recalibration. The Raiders’ season has been a tale of extremes: a defense ranked among the top ten in takeaways, but an offense still searching for rhythm under quarterback Aidan O’Connell. Injuries to key receivers and an overworked backfield have only added to the strain. Yet Carroll insists this stretch is part of the team’s evolution.
“Every season has moments that define who you are,” he said. “You can fold, or you can build from the struggle. We’re choosing the second one.”
Growing Pains in the Desert
The Raiders’ first half of the season has been anything but predictable. A thrilling overtime win against the Broncos gave fans hope, only to be followed by a humbling loss to the Chargers that exposed offensive inefficiencies. The narrative shifted weekly — from playoff dark horse to midseason mystery.
Local media have been divided. Some praise Carroll’s patient leadership; others question whether his player-friendly approach works with a team craving discipline. “Pete’s energy is infectious,” wrote columnist Jay Collins in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “But energy doesn’t fix third-down conversions.”
Still, Carroll’s reputation for turning adversity into momentum keeps optimism alive. He’s rebuilt before — in Seattle, in New England, even back in college at USC. What makes this stint in Las Vegas different, he admits, is the emotional toll of expectation.
“This city wants a winner,” he said. “And they deserve one.”
The Human Side of a Rebuild
Behind the stats and strategies lies a deeper story — one of belief and endurance. The Raiders’ locker room is filled with young talent molded by veterans who’ve weathered tougher storms. Davante Adams, ever the quiet leader, spoke candidly after their Week 7 loss. “We can’t keep saying ‘next week,’” he said. “At some point, we’ve got to make next week happen.”
Carroll nodded when asked about that comment. “That’s leadership,” he said. “That’s exactly what I want — players holding themselves and each other to a standard.”
Off the field, fan frustration simmers. Social media threads light up after every defeat — some calling for lineup changes, others rallying behind Carroll’s vision. The divide is emotional, but not hopeless. “We just need consistency,” said lifelong fan Miguel Torres. “One week they look unstoppable, the next they look lost. But if anyone can steady them, it’s Pete.”
A Bye Week Built for Truth
This week, Carroll’s agenda is clear: rest, reflection, and reset. Team meetings have shifted tone — less about opponents, more about self-assessment. Assistant coaches are reworking offensive schemes, emphasizing tempo and red-zone creativity. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has been reviewing missed tackles and coverage breakdowns that cost them critical drives.
“We’re not panicking,” Carroll told the media. “We’re learning.”
Inside the facility, players are encouraged to step away briefly, reconnect with family, and return sharper. Yet, for many, the break feels like a mirror moment — a chance to confront personal accountability. “You look in the mirror and ask what more you can do,” said defensive end Maxx Crosby. “That’s what this bye week is — honesty.”
A City Waiting for Redemption
Las Vegas has embraced the Raiders’ chaos — the heartbreaks, the comebacks, the drama. But patience has limits. The fans who fill Allegiant every Sunday aren’t just spectators; they’re believers who’ve stood through decades of relocation, controversy, and near-misses.
Carroll understands that bond. “They’ve been through everything,” he said. “They show up because they love this team. That means something to me.”
The emotional connection between team and city is precisely what keeps this narrative alive. The bye week isn’t just about rest — it’s about renewal. The second half of the season looms large: matchups with the Chiefs, Dolphins, and Bengals will test every ounce of resolve.
As the lights dimmed on Carroll’s press conference, he smiled again — this time with quiet confidence. “We’ll come out swinging,” he said. “Don’t count us out.”
