The Las Vegas Raiders’ secondary is by no means historic. Not even close.
Still, that didn’t stop new coach Pete Carroll from heaping praise on them.
“We’re really athletic, we’re really fast, and we’re big,” Carroll said during his Tuesday press conference in a video posted by Vegas Sports Today. “It’s an impressive looking group. I can’t remember ever having a group that looks more impressive than this group.”
Surely, Carroll raised more than a few eyebrows with that assessment. He did, after all, coach the Legion of the Boom in Seattle. To this day, it’s regarded as one of the best secondaries in NFL history.
And yet, it became the recipient of a playful jab from Carroll.
“My guys will be pissed at me up north that I said that, the old guys,” he joked. “But it’s the truth.”
What Was the Legion of Boom?
The Legion of Boom was the nickname given to the Seahawks’ iconic secondary in the 2010s, which at its core featured cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner and safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor.
The group, known for its aggressive, ballhawking style of play, helped lead Seattle to back-to-back Super Bowls, including a 43-8 beatdown of Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
The 2013 Broncos, who had averaged an NFL-record 37.9 points per game during the regular season, managed just 306 total yards and committed four turnovers, including an interception was that returned for a touchdown.
To further exemplify how dominant that group was, CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo recently ranked it as the seventh-best Super Bowl-winning defense in league history.
“This unit reached legendary status following their performance in Super Bowl XLVIII,” DeArdo wrote. “They actually out-scored Peyton Manning and the Broncos’ high-scoring offense, getting the game’s first two points on a safety and recording a touchdown on game MVP Malcolm Smith’s pick-six just before halftime.
“The Seahawks’ 43-8 win also included four forced turnovers, three fourth down stops and Denver gaining just 27 yards on 14 carries.”
Carroll coached the Seahawks for 14 seasons from 2010-23 before he was fired in January 2024.
Who is in the Raiders’ Secondary?
The 73-year-old Carroll couldn’t possibly have been serious in his assessment of the Raiders’ secondary. Still, he clearly has high hopes for the group.
At the very least, it’s young and boasts potential. The Raiders signed cornerback Eric Stokes (one year, $4 million) and safety Jeremy Chinn (two years, $16 million) this offseason, pairing them with a returning starter at cornerback in Darnay Holmes.
They also agreed to terms with three-time Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams, reuniting him with Carroll. While injuries have limited Adams to 15 games over the last three seasons, he could be a valuable veteran presence if healthy.
On top of that, they drafted Darien Porter in the third round. Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema called the former Iowa State product a “rare prospect” because of his background as a wide receiver in college.
The Raiders’ defense was a mess last season, ranking 26th in the NFL in points allowed (25.5 per game). Despite that, Carroll sees potential in that unit, even if his expectations are a bit unrealistic.
