The Las Vegas Raiders just flipped the script on their future, and defensive lineman Adam Butler couldn’t be more hyped. Picture this: you wake up, check your phone, and boom—the headline smacks you in the face. Pete Carroll, the legendary, gum-chewing, high-energy mastermind behind the Seahawks‘ golden years, is now leading the Raiders. That’s exactly how Butler felt when he found out. “Man, if we do this right… we’re going to shock the world,” he told Sports Illustrated’s Hondo Carpenter. And honestly? He might be onto something.

Carroll’s arrival isn’t just another coaching change; it’s a culture shift. Butler couldn’t stress enough how much having a guy like Carroll at the helm means. “This guy knows what he’s doing. There’s no question,” he said, emphasizing the comfort that comes with a coach who’s been there, done that and has a Super Bowl ring to prove it. Carroll’s track record speaks for itself—Seattle’s defensive dominance, the infamous Legion of Boom, and a championship pedigree that screams winner. The Raiders, long trapped in a cycle of inconsistency, might have just secured the missing piece to break free.

But Butler wasn’t just hyping up Carroll—he was laying out the blueprint. “They bring back the right personnel… this is going to be a special year,” he explained. He knows that success isn’t just about X’s and O’s; it’s about keeping the glue guys around, the ones who make the locker room click. It’s a point well taken. Teams that retain their core and build smartly around them tend to thrive. Just look at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Brady arrived. The Raiders’ front office, with Brady pulling strings behind the scenes, might be following the same formula.

And speaking of glue guys, Butler was quick to shine the spotlight on a name fans might not hear enough—defensive line coach Rob Leonard. “Above everything else, it’s his character and who he is as a man,” Butler said. “Almost always, Robbie starts the day with a quote… to get guys fired up.” It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes leadership that doesn’t make headlines but makes all the difference on game day.

Leonard isn’t just about motivation—he’s about results. “If the other team gains one yard, he’s pissed off,” Butler said with a laugh. That kind of relentless mindset is exactly what Carroll loves in his coaching staff. Leonard’s defensive front showed promise last season, and with Carroll’s defensive expertise now in the mix, the Raiders’ line could become a serious force.

So, if Butler’s words are any indication, the Raiders aren’t just changing coaches—they’re changing everything. Carroll’s experience, Leonard’s fire, and a locker room ready to buy in? That’s the kind of foundation that can turn a franchise around. And if they do it right? Well, as Butler put it, “We’re going to shock the world.”

Tom Brady’s influence: Raiders lowkey have no choice but to snag a QB

The Raiders are heading into the most important offseason in years, and let’s be real—nothing matters more than locking down a franchise quarterback. Yeah, they’ve got other needs, but without a legit QB, none of it matters. Now, with Tom Brady in the building as a limited partner, the pressure is cranked all the way up. And sitting at No. 6 in the draft? The Raiders might already have their guy—Shedeur Sanders.

NFL.com’s Eric Edholm basically said the Raiders and Sanders are a match made in football heaven. “The Raiders need a quarterback. They could use some buzz. Tom Brady is a limited partner. Pete Carroll is the coach. And it’s Vegas—c’mon. If there was ever a town built for one of the flashier, more famous family names in football, it’s this one. It just feels right, on a vibes level, anyway.” And honestly? He’s got a point. The Raiders need a star, and Sanders brings that swagger. Plus, the dude can actually ball.

Then there’s Chip Kelly, who’s now running the offense and is basically Sanders’ No. 1 fan. “New Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly also heaped big praise on Sanders prior to UCLA playing Colorado in 2023 when Kelly was head coach, and he did so again after the Bruins beat Sanders and the Buffaloes.” Kelly loves QBs who are smart, accurate, and can handle the heat—aka, everything Sanders does. This fit is looking way too good to ignore.

And the best part? The Raiders might not even have to pull off some crazy trade to get him. “It’s not hard to envision the Raiders being the team Sanders ends up with—especially since they might not have to move at all. His draft standing should become clearer over the next two-plus months, but it’s not a stretch to think he will simply be available for them on the clock at No. 6“. With Brady applying that lowkey GOAT pressure, Pete Carroll calling the shots, and Kelly scheming up plays, the front office has no choice—lock in a QB or risk fumbling the bag again.