Pete Carroll, widely regarded as one of football’s all-time great coaches, continues to prove his eye for talent beyond the college ranks. After a storied run that included multiple titles and a long, successful stint in Seattle, Carroll’s coaching arc took a new turn this offseason when he joined the Las Vegas Raiders. The 73-year-old coach has wasted little time making his presence felt, singling out a young defender who could be a key piece in the Raiders’ secondary this season.
Carroll’s praise centers on Kyu Blu Kelly, the Raiders’ fourth-year cornerback who has emerged as a training camp standout. Kelly, a former fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has played just 32 defensive snaps over his first two seasons and currently sits behind a crowded depth chart. Despite the hurdles, he has surged as a camp star, drawing rave reviews from Raiders coaches and beat writers alike.
During Thursday’s joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers, Carroll highlighted Kelly’s progress and competitive drive. “I’m glad you noticed it because I’m noticing it, too. He’s had plays every day for about the last five or six days out here. Mock Game Two, he’s just been really active. Seems like he’s really settling in, and his aggressive style of play has really shown up,” Carroll said. “I’m fired up for him. If you’ve noticed, I don’t know if it happened today, but yesterday, he got work with the ones just to see how he fits in and all of that. Just a great example of a guy competing his butt off and trying to make a statement.”
Kelly’s growth has been the talk of camp, with Carroll openly praising his willingness to embrace competition and push for more opportunities. The Raiders are not handing him anything, but the boom in his development has the rookie breathlessly eyeing an increased role as the preseason unfolds.
In Las Vegas’s current depth chart, Kelly sits behind a veteran mix of Darnay Holmes, Darien Porter, Eric Stokes, Greedy Vance, Decamerion Richardson, and JT Woods. Yet none of those players has secured a firm starting job, leaving a clear path for Kelly to climb the ladder as the season approaches. If his early-summer performance is any indication, he could be among the first to secure meaningful snaps once Week 1 arrives.
All signs point to a budding storyline: Kelly, once a long-shot to make a massive impact, could become the Raiders’ next “defensive gem” under Carroll’s watchful eye. Carroll’s track record of unearthing secondary playmakers—paired with Kelly’s demonstrated grit and burst—offers a hopeful note for Las Vegas fans seeking a more dynamic, disruptive defense.
Looking ahead, Kelly is slated to see significant action in Week 2 of the preseason against the 49ers, a matchup that should provide a clearer read on whether he’s ready to push for a starting role or continue to develop into a high-impact rotational player. If he continues to translate his training-camp success to game situations, the Raiders may have unearthed a young corner who could play a meaningful part in their plans this season.
Additional context and outlook:
– Carroll’s confidence in Kelly aligns with a broader Raiders philosophy of cultivating flexible defensive backs who can handle multiple roles in varying schemes.
– The early buzz around Kelly comes at a time when Las Vegas has been building depth across the board on defense, which could pay dividends as the schedule ramps up and injuries test the roster.
– If Kelly’s ascent continues, the Raiders might gain a cost-effective starter who can develop into a long-term answer on the outside or in the slot, providing valuable versatility for a defense looking to improve after a transitional year.
In short, Carroll’s endorsement of Kyu Blu Kelly adds a compelling chapter to the Raiders’ training-camp narrative and signals that Las Vegas is serious about developing its young talent. The next few weeks will be telling as Kelly battles for snaps and potential starting duty, offering fans a hopeful storyline as the regular season nears.