The league is ultra-competitive. The athletic abilities on display sometimes bamboozle the human mind. But it’s not just brute strength. They also focus on intellect. NFLPA (NFL Players Association) offers programs to help players continue their education and also prepare them for the future after the sport. The regular collisions and hard hits are unavoidable. According to Statista, the average career in the league is 3.3 years. For tight ends, this number jumps further down to 2.85 years. Such numbers have forced Pete Carroll’s player to focus on pressing matters during the off-season.

The LV Raiders organized their voluntary offseason program. However, their TE Brock Bowers decided to stay out. Not for fun or personal matters, but to complete his finance degree at the University of Georgia. Despite signing a mammoth $18.1 million rookie deal after the franchise drafted him in the first round (13th overall) in 2024, he understands one key thing that many athletes and even fans ignore. Life is long!

A lot of this comes from his family as well. His mother, DeAnna, was an All-American pitcher and first baseman on the softball team. However, she later became a math teacher, which pushed Pete Carroll’s star to focus on both academics and athletics, sports and education. There wasn’t any other option. In fact, his favorite subject in school was math.

She also understood that the 6-foot-4, 230-pound athlete needed more mental and emotional support. So, she took a hiatus from her teaching job when he started playing for Georgia. But his education couldn’t wait. He had already become a star. And as the season approaches, he’ll have less time to focus on academics. Now is the perfect time, with football activities on the back burner.

While he studies hard to earn his degree, the Raiders are focused on other things. They want a solid O-line for Geno Smith.

Pete Carroll adds another offensive weapon

Last season, the Raiders struggled in the receiving game. They were 25th in the league, with 10 yards per reception and 28th in touchdowns (10). Interestingly, they were 9th in receiving yards (4,117) and 4th in receptions (410). The message is clear. They need more solid receivers.

Pete Carroll signed the 6-foot-6, 220 lbs receiver Collin Johnson on May 1. Jaguars drafted him in the 5th round (165th overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft before waiving him the next year. The NY Giants signed him in 2021, but he suffered an Achilles injury the next year. Johnson spent his next 2 seasons at the Bears before arriving at the Raiders.

Overall, he has played 38 games (1 starter) and recorded 31 receptions for 394 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. The coaches at Texas lauded him for enhancing his blocking skills in college. While talking about how he treats any adversity, the receiver revealed, “Any adversity that hits my life, I really take it and I grow from it. I try not to complain, I try not to get too down on myself. It’s all about moving forward because that’s all I can control.” Overall, the Raiders are in a good place now.

They also drafted 2 receivers in 2025, TCU WR Jack Bech and Tennessee WR Dont’e Thornton. The next interesting thing is the starters.