The Week Eleven loss to the Dallas Cowboys showed once again how messy things have become for the Las Vegas Raiders. The team is struggling badly in terms of talent. But the bigger problem is the decision making from the coaching staff. It keeps getting more confusing every week.
The Raiders had a chance to give rookie guard Caleb Rogers some real game experience. Jackson Powers Johnson was hurt, which opened the door for Rogers to play. Instead the team made Rogers inactive. It made no sense for a team that should be developing young players. On top of that, running back Ashton Jeanty was barely used again. This has happened all season. He is one of their most promising young pieces, yet the staff keeps him on the sidelines during important drives.
Even before the game, Ari Meirov from The 33rd Team shared some information that explains why the Raiders have looked so chaotic. He said the front office and the coaching staff are not even on the same page. The front office is thinking about the future. They want to rebuild and develop young talent. The coaching staff is thinking about right now. They want to win immediately, even though the roster is not built for that. Because of this conflict, younger players are not getting the reps they need.
Meirov also said there is a real chance Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll might not return next season. Meanwhile general manager John Spytek and the front office are safe. He also said the coaching staff did not want to trade receiver Jakobi Meyers, which again shows how differently the staff and the front office view the direction of the team.
The truth is the Raiders and Carroll were never a good match. The team desperately needed a full rebuild. But Carroll, who is seventy-four years old, had no interest in breaking things down. He wanted to compete right away. After the loss to the Cowboys he even said they are trying their best to win games. But competing now makes no sense for a roster that is clearly not ready. That mindset is what led to veterans playing over young players who need real game reps.
This cannot continue. Something has to change. Carroll either has to commit to a true rebuild and let the younger players take the field, or he needs to step aside. The same goes for Chip Kelly. The Raiders need a direction. They need leadership that is willing to build something for the long term. Right now they are stuck in between, and it is hurting everything.