The Raiders are back in action after a 3-14 finish, which left them last in the AFC West last season. Las Vegas has a new coaching staff as Klint Kubiak takes over from Seattle, and Andrew Janocko joins as offensive coordinator. Kirk Cousins comes over from Atlanta to be the starting quarterback, while No. 1 overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza waits in the wings to make his mark in the NFL. Ashton Jeanty returns as the primary running back, and rookie Mike Washington is another player the Raiders have high hopes for. They return four of last year’s top five receivers, including Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and tight end Brock Bowers. The team also welcomes former Minnesota Vikings receiver Jalen Nailor. The offensive line returns Kolton Miller, Jackson Powers-Johnson, and D.J. Glaze, while Spencer Burford comes over from San Francisco and Tyler Linderbaum arrives from Baltimore to round out the starting five. Powers-Johnson missed Week 4 with a groin injury.
Rob Leonard takes over as defensive coordinator. The Raiders return eight of their top eleven tacklers from the 2025 campaign. Maxx Crosby returns to the defensive line after a trade with the Ravens didn’t go through, along with Adam Butler, Thomas Booker, and Jonah Laulu. Kwity Paye joins the unit after spending last season with the Colts. The team brought in two new starting linebackers, Quay Walker from the Packers and Nakobe Dean from the Eagles, while the secondary returns Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, Jeremy Chinn, and Isaiah Pola-Mao. Taron Johnson joins from Buffalo, and Arizona rookie Treydan Stukes adds depth. Stukes has moved into the starting free safety role ahead of Pola-Mao.
Joe DeCamillis takes over as special teams coach after returning to the NFL from South Carolina. Matt Gay comes over from San Francisco to take over the field goal duties, while A.J. Cole returns as the punter. Dylan Laube will handle kick returns, while Malik Benson is the primary punt returner. A new coaching staff across the board and a new quarterback were expected to bring growing pains, but the Raiders have opened the season 3-1, with Cousins throwing 11 touchdown passes through four games. With Mendoza still waiting in the wings, the Raiders’ outlook is brighter than expected.