When you think of Pete Carroll, the man’s got more rules than your high school gym teacher, but in the NFL, they’ve been the secret sauce for success. Over his 13 seasons with the Seahawks, Pete Carroll’s coaching record stands at an impressive 137 wins and 89 losses (with a Super Bowl win thrown in for good measure). The Seahawks thrived under his regime, including key records like Russell Wilson’s most career passing touchdowns and Marshawn Lynch’s iconic ‘Beast Quake’ run. Those who wore Carroll’s colors (like Richard Sherman and Bobby Wagner) also earned serious street cred in the NFL.

Let’s break it down like a touchdown pass from Russell Wilson: First, there’s the iconic rule of always protecting the team. Carroll has instilled a “team-first” mentality, which requires players to set aside their egos to benefit the team’s success. The no-complaining rule appears difficult but remains essential to developing strong team morale. But it’s that third rule, be early, that has everyone scrambling. Being punctual in Pete’s world isn’t just a sign of respect, it’s like showing up to a tailgate before the sun’s even up. As Sam Farmer put it: “Be early. That sounds simple, but it’s a sign of respect.”

These rules didn’t just serve the Seattle Seahawks—they’re now resurging in Las Vegas. Enter Russell Wilson, who could be the secret weapon in Tom Brady’s Raiders rebuild, drawing from his Seattle days where the man practically wrote the book on resilience. With Pete Carroll as his mentor, Wilson might just be what Brady and the Raiders need to get back on track. For Pete, these three rules were the backbone of his coaching philosophy, ensuring his teams stayed focused, disciplined, and ready for action.

The solution to Tom Brady’s Raiders problems

While the Raiders search for their QB of the future, Wilson—at 36, a bit like a vintage wine—might just be the perfect stopgap solution. Not only is Wilson familiar with Carroll’s game plan, but his playbook, loaded with highs (Super Bowl XLVIII) and lows (his post-Seahawks phase), gives him the experience to manage a team in transition. According to the experts, the Raiders can use Wilson as a bridge to their next star, allowing them to sort through draft picks or other quarterbacks like Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. The goal is simple: Wilson’s leadership might be exactly what the Raiders need as they recalibrate after a less-than-impressive 2024.

And speaking of leadership, Now, as Wilson finds himself possibly playing a different role for the Raiders, he’s coming in with something even more important than arm strength—experience. Remember, this is the QB who led the Seahawks to two Super Bowls. Is it a guarantee he’ll revamp the Raiders? Probably not. But it could give them the breathing room to figure out their future QB plans without rushing into anything.

The connection between Carroll and Brady’s Raiders isn’t coincidental. It’s almost as if Brady’s blueprint for success in Tampa Bay (with Bruce Arians and a team reshaping culture) is being reworked in Las Vegas, with Pete Carroll pulling the strings. Pete faces similar challenges as Arians, yet the Raiders can swiftly return to playoff contention if they assemble strong team members, including Wilson, to lead the next quarterback.

But in the end, this is more than just football. It’s about culture. It’s about those three rules: Always protect the team. No whining. Be early. And if that recipe works for the Seahawks, maybe it can lead the Raiders out of their rebuild and into the NFL spotlight once again. All eyes are on Carroll now, as he’s poised to be the one to lead the way, one rule at a time.

“Be early. That sounds simple, but it’s a sign of respect.” And for the Raiders, it’s going to be a new chapter.