Sports
NFL Coaching Carousel Spins: Raiders Hire Pete Carroll, Jaguars Land Liam Coen
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The NFL coaching carousel is in full swing as the 2025 offseason sees major changes across the league. The Las Vegas Raiders have hired Pete Carroll, the former Seattle Seahawks head coach, to replace Antonio Pierce after just one season. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars have secured Liam Coen, the former offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, following the dismissal of Doug Pederson.
Carroll, 74, becomes the oldest head coach in NFL history, bringing a wealth of experience to a Raiders franchise seeking stability. Carroll led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in 2014 and is expected to bring a disciplined approach to Las Vegas. “Pete’s track record speaks for itself,” said Raiders minority owner Tom Brady. “We’re thrilled to have him lead this team into a new era.”
In Jacksonville, Coen steps into a pivotal role as the Jaguars aim to maximize the potential of 2021 No. 1 overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence. Coen’s work with Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay, where the quarterback threw a career-high 41 touchdown passes, has raised expectations for his ability to elevate Lawrence’s game. “Liam has a proven ability to develop quarterbacks,” said Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke. “We believe he’s the right fit for Trevor and this organization.”
Other notable moves include the New England Patriots replacing Jerod Mayo with Mike Vrabel, a former Patriots linebacker and Super Bowl champion. Vrabel, who previously coached the Tennessee Titans, is expected to bring a structured, defensive-minded approach to New England. “Mike knows what it takes to win here,” said Patriots owner Robert Kraft. “We’re confident he’ll lead us back to success.”
The Chicago Bears have also made a significant hire, bringing in Ben Johnson to guide quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Johnson, known for his innovative offensive schemes, faces the challenge of developing Williams after an inconsistent rookie season. “Ben has a great football mind,” said Bears general manager Ryan Poles. “We’re excited to see what he can do with Caleb.”
As the coaching carousel continues to spin, teams are racing to finalize their staffs ahead of the 2025 season. With several high-profile hires already in place, the pressure is on for these new leaders to deliver results.