As the AFC West braces for another competitive season, Jim Harbaugh is not holding back his thoughts on Pete Carroll’s surprise move to the Las Vegas Raiders. In an exclusive interview, the Michigan head coach voiced his concerns about what Carroll’s presence in the division could mean for its already fierce rivalry.
Carroll, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s most successful and respected coaches, is now tasked with leading a Raiders team that has struggled to reclaim its former dominance. Harbaugh, who knows Carroll well from their Pac-12 days, understands the impact the veteran coach can have when given the right pieces. But with the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers already stacked, Harbaugh sees Carroll’s entry as the final puzzle piece that will shake up the division even more.
“The AFC West was already a gauntlet,” Harbaugh said. “Now you add Pete to the mix? It just made everything tougher. The Raiders were already a team to watch, but with his leadership and ability to develop players, this changes the whole game.”
The rivalry between Harbaugh’s teams and Carroll’s Seahawks is legendary, but now that both coaches are in the same division, it promises a new level of tension. Harbaugh, who has battled Carroll in both college and the NFL, knows firsthand how difficult it is to game plan against him.
“Pete’s a master of creating an identity and making a team believe in it. You don’t just prepare for the Seahawks — you prepare for Pete Carroll, and that’s a whole different level,” Harbaugh continued.
As Carroll prepares to lead the Raiders, questions remain: can he push the Silver and Black back to playoff contention, or will the pressure of the AFC West prove too much? With Harbaugh sounding the alarm, it’s clear the entire division is ready for a seismic shift.
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