It is a surprise that some team wanted to hire a 73-year-old coach who fizzled out over his final three years in Seattle, but kudos to Pete Carroll for making an unexpected return to the NFL.

That now leads to natural questions about whether he might want to bring any of his former Seahawks players to Las Vegas. New Raiders GM John Spyvek, hired from Tampa Bay, will have a lot to say about that, of course.

The Raiders have plenty of roster needs, including quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback. The Hawks have three players at those spots whose names have been bandied about in trade speculation. Would Carroll have any interest in a reunion with Geno Smith, DK Metcalf or Riq Woolen?

The “Russell Wilson to Vegas” chatter already has begun. Carroll’s longtime QB has started talking new deal with Pittsburgh, but he recently called Mike Tomlin and Carroll “culture builders” and some think the now 37-year-old might relish the chance to play for the Silver & Black before his career is finished.  

If Wilson sticks with Pittsburgh, Carroll’s options to upgrade over Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew will be Sam Darnold, the draft (Vegas picks sixth overall) or perhaps Smith.

The Hawks seem unlikely to trade Smith though. Even if Carroll wants him over other options, the Hawks would need a replacement — and there are no better quarterbacks to be had right now.

If the Hawks are prepared to trade him and the Raiders are not an option, other teams seem unlikely to be as well.

Just three or four other teams might be looking for QBs, and Smith is unlikely to be on their radars. Tennessee, Cleveland and the Giants draft 1-2-3, and Pittsburgh would not trade for Smith.

As for Metcalf, the Hawks have to decide whether they think he is a top-seven player and worthy of $30 million a year – which is surely what he will be targeting for any extension. The Raiders have over $95 million in cap space and can afford Metcalf, if they are interested in trading for him. John Schneider likely would want at least a second-rounder and a Day 3 pick for him.

Another deal that would not be surprising is Carroll acquiring Woolen – a Pro Bowl player for Carroll in 2022 who has talent (and thus trade value) but does not seem to possess the mindset Macdonald wants in his defenders.

Bottom line: Carroll’s return to the NFL will make this offseason a lot more intriguing.