The Las Vegas Raiders will take the field at Lumen Field Thursday night in what marked far more than just another preseason matchup. With kickoff at 7 p.m. PT, the Raiders faced the Seattle Seahawks in their 2025 preseason opener, creating a compelling narrative around Pete Carroll's emotional return to his former home.
According to the Raiders, Carroll spent 14 seasons as Executive VP and Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks, posting 10-plus wins in eight seasons, winning five NFC West Division titles, reaching the postseason 10 times, and capturing one Super Bowl. The 73-year-old coach's return to Seattle generated considerable buzz across both fan bases.
A Reunion of Familiar Faces
Carroll wasn't the only familiar face making the trip back to Seattle. Quarterback Geno Smith, who spent six seasons with the Seahawks including three as a starter, joined Carroll in Las Vegas after being traded to the Raiders in March. As reported by the Seahawks, this marked the return of both Carroll and Smith to their former home.
The matchup represented history in the making, as Raiders.com noted this was the 20th preseason meeting between the two franchises, with Seattle leading the series 13-6. The teams were perennial preseason finale opponents from 2006-19, with their last preseason encounter taking place in Las Vegas on August 14, 2021, resulting in a 20-7 Raiders victory.
Broadcasting and Coverage Details
According to the Raiders, the game was broadcast locally on FOX5 Las Vegas (KVVU) with Jason Horowitz calling play-by-play alongside Raiders preseason color commentators Rich Gannon and Kirk Morrison. Seattle fans could watch on KING 5, featuring Kate Scott on play-by-play with Michael Robinson and Michael Bennett providing color analysis.
The Raiders-Seahawks game was also aired on NFL Network with the Seahawks' broadcasting team on the call, ensuring comprehensive coverage for this marquee preseason matchup.
Team Approaches and Expectations
As detailed by Seahawks.com, Seattle's starters wouldn't be playing in the matchup, per Coach Mike Macdonald, meaning Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe would handle quarterback duties. For the Silver and Black, Raiders starters were expected to see action, as Carroll indicated Tuesday that "everybody's live" and "everybody's ready to go."
Carroll hasn't tempered expectations for his new squad, stating confidently, "We are going to win a bunch of games. I can't even imagine anything else. I've been winning 10 games a year for 20 years or something." The coach's trademark optimism appears fully intact despite the change of scenery.
Looking Toward the Regular Season
Per the Raiders, Carroll was hired on a three-year deal with a fourth-year team option, making him one of only four head coaches to have led teams to both a college football national championship and the Super Bowl. He becomes the Raiders' fifth coach, including interim coaches, since the franchise moved to Las Vegas from Oakland in 2020.
The emotional undertones of Thursday's preseason opener extended beyond typical exhibition play, representing a significant chapter in both franchises' narratives as they prepare for the 2025 regular season. The Raiders continue their preseason schedule with a home game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, August 16, while the Seahawks host the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, August 15.
