For Raiders, the culture changing process continues at minicamp

HENDERSON, Nev. — Turning around the Las Vegas Raiders’ culture remains an ongoing process.

The latest step for the Silver and Black is this week’s minicamp at the team’s Intermountain Health Performance Center. It’s an opportunity to see where things are at with Pete Carroll, his staff and his players. After all, we’re only a little over a month away from the start of training camp and the 2025 season opener at New England will be here before you know it.

So far, everything is positive. Players love the tone Carroll has set for them. Guys are healed up from the injuries and surgeries stemming from last season and are excited to be back playing. The rookies are looking to make a name for themselves, earn a roster spot and secure playing time. New faces are everywhere, from quarterback to cornerback, all looking to put their individual stamp on a collective effort to be a better football team.

"The pieces we've added this offseason, the energy, the direction — Pete has really master crafted coming in and how to do things, and the guys, we're taking it and we're rolling," tackle Kolton Miller said. "It's been really fun, and we've gotten so much — this is probably one of the most productive OTAs I've been a part of.  

"It's not easy, like we're kind of flying around. But no, it's been really good, and I'm excited where we're headed.”

You’d think it was Shangri-la. Then you go outside where the temperature is in triple digits and things aren’t so much fun. There’s work being put in, sweat being generated and a sense of urgency to take the next step in what the team ultimately results in a winning campaign, a trip to the playoffs and, who knows?

Carroll who belies his age of closing in on 74 years old as he weaves in and out of drills, encouraging everyone while chomping on the ever-present wad of gum, is the one with the most to prove. He was brought in here to get this thing turned around once and for all and move the Raiders beyond the disaster that has been their time here in Las Vegas since they moved from Oakland in 2020.

“We're not looking for anyone to give us a grace period or any of that kind of stuff,” Carroll said prior to the start of minicamp. “That's not how we're going about this. We're going to get it right now."

The players who are here talk about wanting to be a “Raider for life.” And in the case of A,J, Cole, the team’s punter who recently signed a four-year extension for $15.8 million to be the NFL’s highest-paid punter, that’s probably going to happen.

Ultimately, the Raiders will be judged on their performance on the field. But you’ve got to think the way they’ve been going about their business this off-season may ultimately lead to some success. Somewhere down the line, the hard work figures to pay off.