Raiders named ideal landing spot for Super Bowl-winning head coach

Raiders named ideal landing spot for Super Bowl-winning head coach originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Pete Carroll is in the midst of his first season as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. But, his first could end up being his last in light of the team’s struggles and lack of improvement.

Mike Tomlin isn’t in his first year in Pittsburgh, far from it, but he could also be on his last as there’s growing buzz about the Steelers potentially moving on from him after the season.

If both of those things happen, is there a scenario in which Tomlin could wind up in Sin City? Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report seems to think so, as he recently listed Las Vegas as an ideal landing spot for Tomlin, should he depart Pittsburgh.

Raiders listed as ideal landing spot for Mike Tomlin

Knox pointed to some solid pieces that are already in place in addition to a high draft pick and ample cap space as reasons why the gig might be intriguing to Tomlin, who would assuredly have several suitors should he become a free agent.

From Knox:

“If Carroll is indeed out in five weeks, the Raiders' next coach could be inheriting the skeleton of a competitive roster, along with an opportunity to target one of next year's top quarterback prospects. … However, the Raiders would almost certainly give Tomlin a hero's welcome, and with a high draft slot and the second-most projected cap space in the NFL, Las Vegas could improve its roster in a hurry.”

This is obviously a completely hypothetical situation right now. Carroll is still the coach of the Raiders, and Tomlin is still the coach of the Steelers. A whole lot would have to happen for Tomlin to switch from black-and-yellow to black-and-silver. But, crazier things have happened.

Would Las Vegas really move on from Carroll after just a single season? It seems like he should have a slightly longer leash. It can be very difficult for a new coach to turn things around so quickly. But, this is the Raiders we’re talking about here, so nothing can be ruled out.

The Raiders are one of five teams in the league that have already been eliminated from playoff contention, so their season will come to an end immediately after their matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 4. We should know more about their plans regarding Carroll shortly thereafter.