Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold will not participate in the team’s preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, scheduled for Thursday, August 7 at 7 p.m. PT. The decision means Darnold will not face Pete Carroll, his former college coach at USC, who is now leading the Raiders. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that none of the Seattle starters, including Darnold, will play in the game.
Darnold recently signed a three-year, $100 million contract with the Seahawks this offseason after delivering his best NFL performance in 2023 with the Minnesota Vikings. Last season, he passed for 4,319 yards, threw 35 touchdowns, and had 12 interceptions, guiding the Vikings to a 14-3 record and a playoff berth.
From USC to the NFL: Pete Carroll’s Coaching Journey Continues in Las Vegas
On the opposing sideline, the Raiders will be led by Pete Carroll, the former USC Trojans coach who is back in the NFL after his long tenure with the Seahawks. Carroll, 73, was hired by the Raiders earlier this year, marking a new chapter in his storied coaching career.
Carroll’s NFL journey began in 1994 with the New York Jets as head coach. After one season, he became defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, then moved to head coach the New England Patriots in 1997. Although his time with the Patriots was brief, Carroll’s legacy significantly grew when he took the helm at USC in 2001.
During his time at USC, Carroll transformed the Trojans into a dominant program, securing seven Pac-10 titles, four Rose Bowl victories, and two national championships. Under his leadership, USC boasted three Heisman Trophy winners: Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and Reggie Bush.
In 2010, Carroll returned to the NFL as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, where he remained until 2023. His tenure included the franchise’s first Super Bowl win in 2013, solidifying his impact on the team and the city.
Carroll’s First Return to Seattle as Raiders Coach
The upcoming game will be Carroll’s first visit back to Seattle’s Lumen Field as an opposing coach, following his departure from the Seahawks in 2023. Seahawks fans are expected to honor his contributions with a warm standing ovation for the 14 seasons he spent guiding the team.
The stadium will also witness the return of Geno Smith, the Seahawks’ starting quarterback from 2022 to 2024, who played alongside Carroll during the Seahawks’ most recent playoff run in 2022.
Implications for Seahawks and Raiders in the Preseason Clash
The absence of Sam Darnold and other starters in the preseason opener gives Seattle an opportunity to evaluate their depth and younger players in a competitive setting. Meanwhile, Carroll’s presence on the Raiders’ sidelines adds an emotional narrative to the game, bridging his college and professional coaching careers.
This preseason matchup carries significance beyond the final score, as it serves as a reunion for Darnold and Carroll, who shared a successful history at USC but will now face each other as opponent and coach. Fans will watch closely to see how these storylines unfold as the Seattle Seahawks prepare for the regular season with new leadership and roster adjustments.