The Las Vegas Raiders have made a costly but decisive move at quarterback. The team is releasing veteran signal caller Geno Smith ahead of the new league year, a decision that will leave the franchise carrying a massive $18.5 million dead cap hit. While the move opens roughly $8 million in salary cap space, it also signals a clear reset at the most important position on the roster as Las Vegas prepares for the next phase of its rebuild.
The Las Vegas Raiders are entering a defining offseason, and no storyline looms larger than the future of Maxx Crosby. With trade rumors swirling around the All-Pro pass rusher, speculation has intensified about whether the franchise could move its defensive cornerstone during a broader rebuild. However, recent reporting suggests the Raiders are not rushing toward a blockbuster decision. While the front office is listening to offers, the message from Las Vegas is clear - Crosby will not be moved unless an overwhelming proposal lands on the table.
After a difficult outing in the New England Patriots’ 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell has faced sharply negative feedback about his performance. Campbell allowed 14 quarterback pressures in the big game, a figure that stood out as one of the highest in the NFL this season. As criticism built across social media and fan circles following his struggles, Maxx Crosby stepped forward with his perspective on the situation, urging patience and development rather than panic, emphasizing that Campbell’s flaws are fixable with the right coaching and offseason work.
The Las Vegas Raiders own the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are widely expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. After a historic 16–0 season and a national championship run, Mendoza appears to be the clear franchise answer. But new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak is not ready to make that declaration publicly. While acknowledging Mendoza’s talent and leadership, Kubiak made it clear that evaluation comes before assumption. In Las Vegas, nothing is being handed out early.
The Las Vegas Raiders are entering a rare moment of alignment. A franchise desperate for stability at quarterback now holds the top pick in the NFL Draft and is expected to select Fernando Mendoza as its long-term answer. At the same time, the organization has the greatest quarterback of all time as a minority owner. As Mendoza prepares for his NFL future, his admiration for Tom Brady’s methods and preparation hints at something bigger. His arrival may quietly pull Brady closer to the Raiders than ever before.
Philip Rivers’ late-season return to the NFL was supposed to be a short-term emergency fix. Instead, it reopened a much bigger conversation about his future in football. With multiple teams quietly doing background work on him as a potential head coach, including the Las Vegas Raiders, Rivers has suddenly become one of the most unconventional yet intriguing names on the 2026 coaching carousel. This is why the gamble might actually make sense.