Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll is going to make it a priority to do what Antonio Pierce couldn't
There was not a team in the league last season that was worse at running the ball than the Las Vegas Raiders were. Dead last, but also historically bad for much of the season, and that just won't win you football games. If they want to compete in the AFC West against teams like the […]
There was not a team in the league last season that was worse at running the ball than the Las Vegas Raiders were. Dead last, but also historically bad for much of the season, and that just won't win you football games.
If they want to compete in the AFC West against teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Denver Broncos, who all made the postseason in 2024, the run game has to be fixed. You saw the Broncos struggle in the postseason and near the end of the season because their run game was so bad. If the Raiders have a good enough roster to make it to the postseason, they will have to rely on a run game.
They just don't have that right now, and it's so bad that it's an aspect of their game that is going to keep them from even getting close to the postseason. And, the raiders didn't do anything to fix it this last offseason.
Between hiring Luke Getsy as an offensive coordinator, the injuries piling up, running a blocking scheme that doesn't fit the players' best skillsets, not making the changes needed to the RB room, and so many more things made it impossible for the Raiders to be good in that area of their offense.
Antonio Pierce couldn't fix it. Pete Carroll is going to make sure he fixes it.
"The quarterback position needs to be supported in every way possible so they can be as effective as they're able to be… The running game is a huge part of that," Carroll said at the 2025 NFL Combine. "Not just so you can run the football… (QB) is the hardest position in professional sports to play. We need to do everything we can to facilitate it and make it as easy as possible for that guy. That's why the running game is so fundamental to it."
Luckily, the Raiders can really address their running game woes in the 2025 NFL Draft alone, not to mention they have a ton of cap space to work with as well. This draft class has some great interior offensive linemen that the Raiders should take a swing on, like Alabama guard Tyler Booker, and it also is one of the deepest running back classes we have seen in some time.
Carroll has always had decent run games with the Seattle Seahawks, and let's not forget he coached Reggie Bush at USC. There shouldn't be any question on whether the run game will be addressed or not. Carroll is making it a priority.