Why Pete Carroll Is Betting Jamal Adams Thrives as a Raider Linebacker

Las Vegas has reunited Jamal Adams with coach Pete Carroll—but this time Adams may not play safety. Carroll’s decision to move him to linebacker is a strategic gamble rooted in toughness, veteran wisdom, and an urgency to revive a promising career.

Krista FreelandJuly 25, 20251 Mins read14

Raiders' Jamal Adams to switch positions as coach Pete Carroll cites 'aggressiveness, toughness' in decision

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He doesn’t just hit—he collides. The Raiders have signed Jamal Adams, reuniting the three‑time Pro Bowler with mentor Pete Carroll. But instead of placing him back at safety, Carroll is flipping the switch: Adams is being trained at inside linebacker, a role born from what Carroll calls “aggressiveness and toughness”—traits that defined Adams but never really suited the molding of a modern safety.

This isn’t a demotion. It’s a reclamation.

From Secondary Star to Front‑Line Enforcer

At 29, Adams is no novice. With over 500 career tackles, a record-breaking 9.5 sacks as a defensive back, and All-Pro designations, he was once elite. Injuries and inconsistent play since 2020 have sidelined him, but Carroll sees unfinished business. Adams has been absorbing linebacker drills at camp, testing the theory that his talent translates best inside the box. The Raiders are not simply experimenting—they’re redefining identity.

Carroll’s Culture, Adams’s Redemption

Pete Carroll’s philosophy always prizes energy and fearlessness. During Seattle, he praised Adams for the “juice” he brings—a mindset that carried legends like Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. Now in Vegas, Carroll seems to believe Adams’s legacy isn’t over—it’s just changing shape. Moving him to linebacker may preserve relevance and amplify his impact, even if coverage breaks have diminished.

Adams acknowledged past missteps: emotional trade requests, injury setbacks, and regrets over how he handled departures. Now, he’s playing for redemption via reinvention. The question isn’t just whether his body will hold—it’s whether a shifted role can reignite a career and inspire a defense that craves both experience and edge.

In Carroll’s world, position isn’t destiny—it’s strategy. If this transposition succeeds, it may rewrite how the NFL views safety archetypes and veteran utility. But if it fails? It threatens to underscore the fragility of reinvention in a league that rarely forgives repositioning.