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

Key Takeaways:

• The Raiders failed to secure any preseason wins
• Pete Carroll is entering his first year as the team’s head coach
• Preseason performance may not always predict regular-season results
• Some worry about the negative implications of a winless start
• The team saw encouraging signs from its starters despite the losses

Introduction

The Las Vegas Raiders entered the 2025 preseason with much anticipation, particularly after naming Pete Carroll as their new head coach. Hopes were high that the franchise would display a competitive edge early on. Yet, reality checked in when the Raiders closed out the preseason without a single win.

The Preseason Results

Pete Carroll and the Raiders “didn’t have much success in the preseason,” as the original account points out. The team’s inability to notch a victory led some to question whether this was simply bad luck or something more concerning. Though outcomes in August can be a poor gauge of a team’s future, winless records often raise red flags.

Internal Optimism

Despite the bleak results on paper, insiders suggest that the franchise experienced a measure of “internal success.” According to the original source, “they got to see their starters play good football.” That glimpse of strong performances from key players may encourage coaches and fans, reminding them that preseason slates are largely experimental.

Possible Implications

While preseason games admittedly differ from regular-season competition, some are calling the winless stretch “a bad omen” for Carroll’s first year at the helm. Future success often hinges on a team’s confidence, and a string of defeats—no matter when they occur—can affect morale. Whether these concerns are warranted remains to be seen.

Conclusion

Ultimately, preseason achievements (or lack thereof) don’t necessarily dictate regular-season outcomes. Plenty of teams have stumbled through the preseason before flourishing when it truly counted. Still, the Raiders’ winless run has cast a shadow on Carroll’s debut, leaving fans and observers alike wondering whether these early struggles foreshadow future challenges—ones that could shape the Raiders’ entire season.