Here’s a 500-word piece imagining a Dolphins trade that sends an All-Pro player to the Raiders, with some tie-in to Pete Carroll:
Dolphins Trade Idea Sends All-Pro to Raiders, Sparks Speculation Around Pete Carroll
The NFL offseason is always ripe for bold moves, and one hypothetical trade making
The Proposed Trade
The Dolphins, a team known for explosive offensive play under Mike McDaniel, may be looking to free up cap space and shift their defensive identity. One trade idea that’s gaining traction involves Miami sending All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard to the Raiders in exchange for draft capital—perhaps a 2025 second-round pick and a late-round swap.
Howard, who’s been a cornerstone of Miami’s secondary, still has a few elite seasons left. But with a hefty contract and the emergence of younger defensive backs like Kader Kohou and the addition of Jalen Ramsey, the Dolphins could view this as the right time to move on. The Raiders, meanwhile, have struggled mightily in pass defense, and pairing Howard with their young defensive core could transform the unit overnight.
Why the Raiders Would Do It
The Raiders are in a transitional phase. With Antonio Pierce taking over as head coach and a revamped front office focused on toughness and discipline, adding a veteran presence like Howard makes sense. He brings proven production and leadership—two traits the Raiders desperately need in the AFC West arms race.
Plus, there’s an underlying strategic influence to consider. Pete Carroll, while not coaching full-time anymore, has been linked to a potential advisory role with teams looking to bring a culture of winning. Carroll and Pierce share a defensive-minded approach, and Carroll’s fingerprints could be behind a move that prioritizes veteran savvy over youth.
Pete Carroll’s Influence?
While there’s no official word linking Carroll to the Raiders’ front office, league insiders have speculated that the former Seahawks coach has quietly advised several teams, including Las Vegas. Known for building the Legion of Boom in Seattle, Carroll’s defensive acumen would undoubtedly see value in a player like Howard.
If the Raiders are attempting to recreate that kind of aggressive, playmaking secondary, acquiring Howard is a strong start. Carroll’s preference for physical corners who can press at the line and disrupt timing routes matches Howard’s skill set perfectly.
What It Means for Miami
For the Dolphins, this move would be about long-term planning. Clearing cap space, accumulating picks, and reinvesting in younger talent are keys to sustaining success. While it would sting to lose a player of Howard’s caliber, the team has the depth to absorb it—and the flexibility gained could help extend key offensive stars like Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle.
Conclusion
This hypothetical trade—sending Xavien Howard to the Raiders—has the potential to reshape both franchises. For the Raiders, it signals a shift toward veteran leadership and defensive legitimacy, perhaps with Pete Carroll’s influence quietly guiding decisions. For the Dolphins, it’s about staying nimble and future-focused. In the NFL, bold moves often separate contenders from pretenders, and this one might be just bold enough to work.
Want a version with a different player or more focus on Carroll’s role?
