The Las Vegas Raiders‘ future is hanging by a thread after that 34–20 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers. Yep, that was the game that officially ended their disappointing 4–13 season, leaving the Raiders at the bottom of the AFC West. Their QB Aidan O’Connell is being questioned, would he really carry this franchise forward? Pete Carroll is here with his flipping conventional wisdom on his head. He’s not here to play it safe. He’s not here to follow the rulebook. Rest assured, he is plotting a move that could either make or break the Raiders for years to come. If history tells us anything, it’s that Carroll is a master of seeing what others miss. Think back to 2012. Remember Russell Wilson? That wasn’t luck, that was pure vision.

Now, with the 2025 NFL Draft coming up, the Raiders just might be thinking of pulling off one of the boldest draft strategies. Insiders believe Carroll could be preparing to run it back. Back in 2012, he stunned the league by signing Matt Flynn to a deal, only to draft Wilson in the third round. The result had Wilson outplayed Flynn, won the starting job, and became a franchise star. Carroll changed the game with the move.

Fast forward to the present, Kyle Trask could play a similar role for the Raiders. Trask might not be the best during his time with the Buccaneers, but then he’s a low-cost and reliable option who’s shown dominance when given the chance. Take a look at his 10 career appearances, and over 1,000 passing yards. We can’t ignore his focus on ball security. Trask is the kind of power that may either hold down the fort or push a rookie to rise above.

Carroll believes in low-profile talents. Let’s think about  Jaxson Dart, Will Howard, and Tyler Shough coming in. All three quarterbacks have potential but somewhat lacking behind. Noticeably, Dart has a gunslinger mentality with the ability to make big plays. Howard brings a strong arm in decision-making, while Shough offers size and athleticism that scouts love.

Carroll’s plan for Vegas’ QB future

Pete Carroll plans on. Pairing Kyle Trask with one of these rookies will create competition in the QB room. He is counting on both Trask and the rookie to raise their game. But Carroll’s not stopping there. Remember Zach Wilson?

He was drafted 2nd overall by the Jets in 2021, everyone thought he would be their long-awaited saviour, but it didn’t go as planned. In 33 starts, Wilson has a 12-21 record, throwing for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions, finishing with a 73.2 passer rating. But we can’t slam him, he has flashes of serious talent, remember NFL Rookie of the Week honors thrice in 2021? The real problem is consistency. He was stuck behind a shaky O-line, went through too many coaching changes, and felt like he was forcing plays instead of being natural.

Then there’s Trey Lance, another former top pick, who was drafted 3rd overall by the 49ers in 2021. Lance would have stood out, but between injuries, limited starts, and getting buried behind Brock Purdy, he could barely use his potential. Who knows? Maybe he’ll thrive with a scheme that gives him freedom. Lance has the legs to extend plays and the arm to launch deep bombs.

For Carroll, both Wilson and Lance represent the ultimate “high-risk, high-reward” moves. And, he’s never been afraid to bet big on raw talent.

To understand, Carroll’s approach is about long-term value. He loves mid-round QBs, just ask Russell Wilson about this. This year, Will Howard (Ohio State) offers size (6’5″, 242 lbs) and leadership, fresh off a national title. Meanwhile, Tyler Shough (Louisville), at 25, brings maturity and deep-ball skills to shine at the Senior Bowl.

As the draft nears, all eyes will be on Vegas. Carroll’s QB plan screams depth and flexibility. He’s stacking the room with cheap, high-upside guys so the Raiders can spend big elsewhere. It’s a smart way to stay competitive long-term without betting it all on one guy. Look at history and don’t be surprised if Pete Carroll finds his next Russell Wilson from the shade.