Pete Carroll sounds off on Russell Wilson reunion rumors

Pete Carroll has plenty of work to do in his first offseason as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

One of the major questions Carroll will need to answer is what he intends to do at the quarterback position.

While Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell are both under contract for next season, neither have ties with the current regime. With releasing Minshew saving the Raiders $6.3 million in cap space, it is likely the team will look to remodel their quarterback room.

When Carroll took the job, many analysts immediately made the connection to Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson.

Carroll and Wilson spent ten seasons together with the Seattle Seahawks, including winning a Super Bowl together. The two had a nasty split that ended with Wilson being traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022, but it is being reported that the two have reconciled.

On an episode of “What the Football with Suzy Shuster and Amy Trask,” Carroll took the time to address the rumors head-on.

“It’s so early, and we’re just in the midst of trying to find the puzzle pieces. We’re not even putting them together yet, so I can’t even say,” Carroll said.

“Free agency hasn’t come yet. That’s the first competitive opportunity that will occur. Then, the draft is coming. We’ll have that opportunity. I can’t tell you right now. I could guess, but it would just be a guess.”

With an abundance of options available through free agency and the draft, it makes sense that Carroll and general manager John Spytek are exploring every possible avenue.

The team is also yet to hire an offensive coordinator, so whoever ultimately lands that job could also be a clue of what direction the Raiders decide to take.

It is also possible that the team signs a free agent quarterback, whether it is Wilson or otherwise, and drafts an understudy to compete for the starting job within the next season or two.

Wilson is an uncertain proposition, but having him reunite with Carroll on the field would instantly become the most intriguing storyline of the Raiders’ offseason.