The NFL loves a good sequel. Usually, it's a veteran pass rusher going back to his old defensive coordinator or a wideout following a position coach to a new city. But the idea of Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll getting the band back together in Las Vegas? That was the summer blockbuster everyone saw coming, yet nobody actually bought a ticket for.
Honestly, the timeline is kinda wild when you look back at it.
Early in 2025, the Las Vegas Raiders made the shock move of hiring Pete Carroll as their head coach. He was already pushing the limits of being the oldest coach in league history, but Mark Davis wanted that "energy." Naturally, the first thing everyone did was look at Russell Wilson. Wilson was coming off a "meh" year in Pittsburgh, and the Raiders were basically a quarterback graveyard. It made too much sense on paper.
But paper doesn't account for the "Seahawks trauma" or the reality of where these two were in their careers. Russell Wilson avoids Pete Carroll reunion with Raiders chatter every chance he got, and by the time the 2025 season actually kicked off, he was wearing a New York Giants jersey while Pete was trying (and failing) to make things work with Geno Smith in the desert.
The "Almost" Reunion That Stayed in the DM's
If you ask Pete Carroll—which people did on the Get Got Pod with Marshawn Lynch—there was a "short amount of time" where the Raiders front office actually sat down and talked about Russ. They needed a starter. Wilson was a free agent. The history was there.
"Who knows? There could be a shot," Carroll said back then.
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But the "shot" was more like a long-distance heave into triple coverage. While the media was busy photoshopping Wilson into Silver and Black, Wilson himself was publicly saying he was "focused on the Steelers" (before he eventually pivoted to New York). He wasn't just being polite; he was actively dodging the shadow of his Seattle years.
Why? Because the breakup in Seattle wasn't just a "difference of opinion." It was a fundamental clash of philosophies. Pete wanted to run the ball and play defense. Russ wanted to "Cook." By 2025, neither of them had proven they could win big without the other, but neither seemed particularly hungry to prove they needed the other, either.
Instead of signing Wilson, the Raiders traded a third-round pick to Seattle for Geno Smith. Think about the irony there. Pete Carroll literally traded for the guy who replaced Wilson in Seattle to replace the idea of Wilson in Las Vegas.
Why the Raiders Are Probably Glad It Failed
Look, the 2025 Raiders season was a disaster. There’s no sugar-coating a 3-14 record. Pete Carroll was fired on January 5, 2026, after just one season.
But adding Russell Wilson wouldn't have saved that ship. If anything, it might have made the sinking more expensive.
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Wilson’s 2025 stint with the Giants was... well, it was something. He started three games, threw for about 800 yards, and eventually got benched for a rookie, Jaxson Dart. By the end of the season, Giants fans weren't just asking for the rookie; they were chanting for Jameis Winston.
The stats tell a story Russ probably doesn't want to read:
- Starts in 2025: 3
- Completion Percentage: 58%
- Touchdowns: 3
- Interceptions: 3
- The Vibe: Awkward.
If Wilson had gone to Vegas, he would have been playing behind an offensive line coached by Brennan Carroll (Pete’s son) that gave up more sacks than almost anyone in the league. Combine an immobile, 37-year-old Russ with a line that couldn't block a door, and you have a recipe for a very expensive injury report.
The "Not Blinking" Phase of 2026
Fast forward to right now, January 2026. Pete Carroll is officially out of a job in Vegas. The Raiders are hunting for their fourth coach in four years. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson is doing what Russell Wilson does best: staying relentlessly positive on social media.
Just a few days ago, Wilson told reporters, "I'm not blinking," regarding his 2026 plans. He’s 37. He just hired a new agent—David Mulugheta from Athletes First. He clearly thinks there is one more starting job out there for him.
But the Raiders reunion is officially dead and buried. With Carroll gone, there is zero reason for the Raiders to look at a veteran who just spent a year as a third-string "emergency" QB in New York.
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The Raiders currently hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They aren't looking for a 37-year-old bridge; they're looking for a franchise savior. Whether that's a kid from the college ranks or a massive trade for a younger vet, the "Russ and Pete" era of NFL rumors is finally, mercifully, over.
What's Next for the "Dangeruss" Brand?
Honestly, Wilson is at a crossroads that most legends hit. He can either accept a role as a high-end backup—the "mentor" role he clearly didn't love in New York—or he can try to find one last desperate team willing to gamble on his "Dallas performance" (where he threw for 400 yards in a loss).
The Raiders, meanwhile, have to figure out if Tom Brady and John Spytek can actually build a roster. They have $110 million in cap space. They have the top pick. They have Maxx Crosby. What they don't have is a culture, which is exactly what Pete Carroll was supposed to bring and didn't.
Actionable Reality Check for 2026:
If you're still holding out hope for a "legacy" comeback for Wilson, keep an eye on teams with veteran-heavy rosters that miss out on the top three QBs in the draft. Think New Orleans or maybe a return to a "bridge" situation in a place like Miami if Tua's health remains a question.
As for the Raiders, the search is on. They’ve already interviewed Jeff Hafley and are looking at offensive-minded guys to pair with their new rookie QB. The "Seahawks South" experiment in Vegas failed before it even really started, and in hindsight, Russell Wilson sidestepping that reunion might have been the smartest play he's made in years.
The dream of 2014 is gone. We’re in 2026 now, and the league has moved on. If you're a Raiders fan, be glad the team is looking forward instead of trying to recapture a spark that flickered out years ago in the Pacific Northwest.