Raiders embracing chip on their shoulders — including Carroll

A theme seems to be emerging around the Raiders this year.

Linebackers Jamal Adams and Devin White are seeking redemption. Wide receiver Amari Cooper wants to show he’s still got some juice left. Defensive end Malcolm Koonce is trying to prove he’s recovered from the serious knee injury he suffered last year.

There’s a bunch of people on the team looking to change some narratives.

“We have a lot of guys that have come here on a personal mission to prove that they deserve to be here,” coach Pete Carroll said. “And there’s a bunch of chips on those shoulders now.”

Carroll is part of that group, too. He and the Seahawks tried to make their breakup at the end of the 2023 season seem amicable, but he wasn’t itching to step down. The 73-year-old wants to show he’s still one of the best coaches in football.

“I feel the same way (as those players),” Carroll said. “And we’ve shared that kind of mentality going through it.”

That doesn’t guarantee the Raiders will improve on their 4-13 record from last year. Or that Carroll will ultimately guide the team back to the playoffs. But he believes the players have the right mindset.

“I really like going to battle with these guys because of where their heads are at, and they’ve proven it on the practice field and as we’ve worked,” Carroll said. “Now it’s time to go. But it feels that there’s a commonality about that, and I see it particularly on the defensive side.”

New QB fits in

Quarterback Kenny Pickett, who the Raiders traded for Monday, is the kind of player Carroll is talking about.

Pickett, 27, was once seen as the Steelers quarterback of the future after being selected No. 20 overall in the 2022 draft. Now he’s on his fourth team in 17 months.

“Anybody that’s been traded as much as he has, that chip that he carries, I think he’s got a traveling bag with it,” Carroll said.

The Raiders hope starter Geno Smith is healthy and effective all year and they never have to turn to Pickett. But they know that’s unlikely. The team started three different quarterbacks last season.

That means Pickett needs to pick up the offense as fast as possible before the Raiders’ season opener against the Patriots on Sept. 7. The team has the next three days off, but Pickett plans to spend that time working out at the club’s Henderson headquarters. He’ll be joined by Cooper, who signed a one-year deal with the Raiders on Monday.

“Obviously, I’m staying in town. I got to find a place to live,” Pickett said. “And then we’re going to be here every day (Cooper) wants to throw and get in the classroom and talk through routes. So, it’ll be great to have him. A veteran guy, veteran receiver, that I can kind of talk through these reads, progressions, timing on routes, because I’m still trying to get honed in on those.”

There’s nothing ideal about moving around as much as Pickett has lately. He spent two years with the Steelers before being traded to the Eagles in March 2024. He was then traded again to the Browns in March, before joining the Raiders this week.

All that bouncing around at least means he’s accustomed to learning new offenses on the fly.

“This is my third playbook in the last 12 months, pretty much. So, I’ve learned a lot of football,” Pickett said. “A lot of things are similar. It’s the terminology that I’m really trying to get down.”

Good company

Pickett at least isn’t the only player looking for a fresh start with the Raiders.

Adams and White are both former first-round picks and Pro Bowlers that spent time with multiple organizations last year. Cooper, who the Raiders drafted No. 4 overall in 2015, played for both the Browns and Bills last season.

All four players believe they’ve still got plenty to offer. Now, it’s all about them coming together and proving people wrong.

“I’ve never had to ask a question in the huddle before,” Pickett said. “So, just taking (it) a day at a time and figuring it out.”

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.