- A bona fide superstar in Maxx Crosby
- A high-upside weapon in Brock Bowers
- A clear #1 RB in Ashton Jeanty
- A likely top draft pick to address quarterback
- A clean opportunity to reshape the roster and identity in 2026
Here is a clear, practical blueprint for how the Raiders can climb back toward relevance next season.
1. Commit to a Franchise Quarterback
Short-term patches at quarterback have run their course.
Geno Smith brought some stability, but his presence only delays the real decision:
Las Vegas needs a quarterback who can define the next five to ten years.
What the Raiders should do:
- Use their high 2026 draft pick on a young, high-ceiling quarterback
- Let that quarterback grow with:
- Bowers as a security blanket
- A young stud in Ashton Jeanty
- A more stable offensive line
- Build the offense around the QB’s strengths instead of forcing him into a rigid system
You cannot build a serious contender in today’s NFL without:
- A quarterback who can make second-reaction plays
- Someone who can threaten defenses with timing, accuracy, or movement
- A leader the locker room believes in
The risk of passing on a top quarterback prospect is greater than the risk of “missing” on one when you need one this badly.
2. End the Uncertainty on the Sidelines
A rebuild fails quickly when the players do not know who will be in charge next year.
The questions around Pete Carroll matter just as much as the questions under center.
You cannot sell long-term vision if the coaching staff looks temporary.
Players respond to clarity.
If the message is, “We’re building something serious, and these are the people doing it,” that stability can change the tone of the entire building.
If the message is, “Let’s see how this goes year to year,” the team stays stuck in the middle.
3. Rebuild the Trenches on Both Sides
The Raiders’ problems are not just about star power. They are about the lines.
You win in the NFL when:
- Your quarterback stays upright
- Your run game is efficient
- Your defensive front creates constant stress for opposing offenses
Right now, the Raiders are too inconsistent in those areas.
Offensive Line: Protect the Future
Las Vegas had the lowest rushing average in 2024 and we’re on pace for the same in 2025. You cannot protect a rookie quarterback or close out games with that.
Priority moves:
- Add at least one premium offensive lineman:
- Early-round draft pick at tackle or guard
- Or a proven free-agent starter
- Set a clear starting five early, then let them build chemistry
- Emphasize:
- Run blocking that creates clear lanes
- Pass protection that allows deeper route concepts
You are not only drafting a QB. You are drafting the environment he steps into.
Defensive Line and Secondary: Help Maxx Crosby
Maxx Crosby plays like a one-man wrecking crew. That is both a compliment and a problem.
He needs:
- Interior linemen who can collapse the pocket
- Edge depth so he is not the only true threat
- A secondary that can hold up long enough for pressure to matter
Key steps:
- Add a disruptive interior defender who can win one-on-one
- Strengthen the cornerback room with at least one starter-level addition
- Look for versatile safeties who can:
- Tackle in space
- Cover tight ends and backs
- Disguise coverages pre-snap
If Crosby remains the only player offenses fear, they will keep sliding protection his way and forcing others to beat them.
The Raiders need more must-account-for players on defense.
4. Add a True WR1 to Unlock the Offense
What they lack is a receiver that keeps defensive coordinators up at night.
In today’s NFL, you almost always see:
- Franchise QB
- True WR1
- Secondary target (TE or WR2) aka Bowers
What the Raiders should target:
- A wideout who can:
- Win outside the numbers
- Stretch the field vertically
- Command bracket coverage
- Someone defenses will shade coverage toward, opening:
- Crossers and seams for Bowers
- Isolated matchups for Meyers
That kind of player can come from:
- Round 1 or 2 of the draft
- A bold trade for a veteran wideout looking for a new situation
Pairing a young quarterback with a legitimate WR1 and Bowers gives the offense an actual identity, not just a collection of pieces.
5. Set a Realistic but Ambitious 2026 Standard
This is not about going from 2-7 to Super Bowl overnight.
It is about moving from chaotic to credible.
A strong 2026 plan should aim for:
- Clear improvement in:
- Offensive consistency
- Defensive pressure rate
- Turnover margin
- A record that shows progress:
- Competing late in games
- Winning at home
- Staying in the playoff hunt into December, even if they fall short
The fan base does not need empty promises.
They need to see:
- A quarterback they can believe in
- A defense with bite, not just one star
- An offense that looks like it belongs in 2026, not 2016
The Bottom Line: A Choice, Not Just a Draft Pick
The 2026 offseason is not only about who the Raiders draft.
It is about who they decide to be.
If they:
- Draft a true franchise quarterback
- Commit to a stable coaching direction
- Invest seriously in both lines
- Add a real WR1 to complement Bowers
…then 2026 can be the start of a real era, not another “retool.”
If they do not, the cycle repeats: new faces, same results.
You have the pieces. You have the pick. You have a city and a fan base ready for real, grown-up football.
The next move belongs to the Silver and Black.
