Those two decisions have done a couple things, however. It has sped up the rebuild, but also opened a window to contend that doesn't line up with the roster. Carroll is 73 and Smith is 34, which likely means they aren't long-term solutions for the silver and black.

The club has tapped a pair of now-former Seattle Seahawks to lead the team going forward, going all-in with Geno Smith at quarterback and Pete Carroll as the head coach. Those decisions have seemingly transformed the way the Raiders will operate going forward, ending a rebuild and kickstarting what figures to be a win-now approach.