It’s a vital hinge moment for the Las Vegas Raiders. They’re doing this with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and the second-most cap space in the league. After such a disappointing 3-14 season, the organization is certainly motivated to move on with a rebuild. General manager John Spytek, in his first year on the job, will be at the helm. The Raiders do have some strong foundational pieces. Each one is uniquely and strategically positioned to leverage their assets and trajectory to become the surprise phoenixes who return to glory.
The previous season brought significant challenges for the Raiders, culminating in the dismissal of head coach Pete Carroll after just one year. Even with all these bumps in the road, Spytek hasn’t lost hope when it comes to his team’s potential. He stated, “I don’t want anyone to think that anyone deserves more responsibility than me, and that it’s something I’m very aware of, I think about all the time, and am determined to get right.”
The Raiders are still looking for a new permanent head coach. They have already begun lining up Zoom interviews with candidates such as Klint Kubiak, Matt Nagy, Kevin Stefanski, and Davis Webb. Spytek—who will conduct this search in lockstep with new minority owner Tom Brady—is the perfect person to do that. As Spytek noted, “Are there two more important hires in an organization than a quarterback and a head coach? I think we probably all would agree that those two men usually steer the ship, and that’s out in front of us right now.”
Aside from the coaching search, the Raiders are re-assessing the talent on their roster, as well. The team has promising young talent on offense, including rookie running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers. Jeanty emphasized the importance of the upcoming draft pick, saying, “That type of pick can change an organization. So, just praying we make the right pick.”
Spytek said he feels really good about the team’s core players, especially in their offensive arsenal. He emphasized the importance of putting their quarterback in the best position to succeed by surrounding him with a solid supporting cast. “There’s 10 other people that are out there with him, and it’s our job to put a great group of guys around him to help him realize his potential,” he stated.
The Raiders seem to have some foundational pieces on the offensive line too. Starting left tackle Kolton Miller received a lucrative contract extension before his season was cut short by a high ankle sprain. Spytek reiterated that they’re going to be looking at any body who can make the offensive line better. We appreciate that they are all committed to improving.
On the defensive side, Maxx Crosby continues to be their dynamic force. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Crosby has been an institution in the organization. According to multiple rumors, the Raiders might trade him away to a contender. They’d only do this if they’re able to count on a big return in draft capital.
Last year was just as rough for the Raiders’ defense. Quarterback Geno Smith was sacked 55 times, second most in the league. This anecdote highlights the greater strategic value at play and the urgency for improvement on offense and defense as they progress to the next phase.
Spytek understands those challenges and everything that comes with them, but by making key acquisitions and coaching changes, Spytek hopes to change the recent narrative. He understands that it takes more than the most talented players to create a successful team. A strong, unified group of coaches is just as important to the process of growing those players.
As such, the Raiders are preparing for an offseason that could be loaded with, well, change. This is their opportunity to use that salary cap space and roster flexibility to design a more competitive roster moving forward. The combination of a high draft pick and a ton of cap space gives them the resources to go after top talent.
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