With the new league year kicking off March 12, NFL teams are already deep into planning for the offseason.
Here are five moves the Las Vegas Raiders should make in the coming months:
1. Find an answer at QB
New head coach Pete Carroll — who won Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks — could flop if Vegas doesn’t improve at QB. Raiders QBs Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell combined for 17 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions in 2024.
Vegas should consider taking a passer in the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled April 24-26 in Green Bay. The Raiders could trade up to select Miami QB Cam Ward (6-foot-2, 219 pounds) or hope Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders (6-foot-1, 212 pounds) falls to them at pick No. 6.
The Raiders shouldn’t rule out pursuing a free-agent quarterback, either, perhaps Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wilson played for Carroll in 10 seasons with Seattle.
2. Determine their future with edge-rusher Maxx Crosby
During the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, new Raiders general manager John Spytek told the media, “I envision Maxx being a Raider for a long time.” Still, he didn’t commit to a contract extension.
Crosby is entering the third year of a four-year, $94M deal in 2025 but has no guaranteed money left. In a January interview with NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” the 27-year-old indicated he wants an extension.
The Raiders could trade Crosby for multiple draft picks, but giving him a new deal may be a better idea for the franchise. In six seasons with Vegas, the pass-rusher has made four Pro Bowls.
3. Draft a running back
In 2024, the Raiders finished last in the NFL in rushing yards (79.8). RB Alexander Mattison — an unrestricted free agent — led the team in rushing touchdowns (four in 14 games). Vegas could find an upgrade in a deep running back class in the draft.
If the Raiders pass on a QB in the first round, they could take Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty (5-foot-8, 211 pounds), the 2024 Doak Walker Award winner as college football’s best RB.
Vegas could also wait until the second or third round to draft a back. Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson (6-foot-1, 224 pounds) may be available there. Johnson had the FBS’ seventh-most rushing yards (1,537 in 12 games) in 2024.
4. Find another reliable pass-catcher in free agency
Expect tight end Brock Bowers — who had the league’s third-most receptions (112 in 17 games) during his rookie season in 2024 — to face more double-teams next season.
After Vegas traded Davante Adams to the New York Jets in October, fellow wideout Jakobi Meyers stepped up, finishing with a career-high 1,027 receiving yards in 15 games. That shouldn’t prevent the Raiders from investing in another pass-catcher. Aside from Bowers and Meyers, no other Raider logged more than 539 receiving yards in 2024.
Perhaps the Raiders will target Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin in free agency. Although he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in 2024, Godwin could rebound in 2025. In eight seasons with Tampa Bay, he has 579 receptions for 7,266 receiving yards and 39 TD catches.
5. Re-sign free-agent linebacker Robert Spillane
Over his past two seasons with Vegas, Spillane is one of few positives for the club, recording 306 tackles. In 2024, he had a career-high 158 tackles in 17 games, tied for third most in the league.
Vegas should have enough room to re-sign the 29-year-old linebacker. Spotrac estimates the Raiders have $96.62M in cap space. Spillane’s market value is a two-year deal worth $10.4M annually.
More importantly, the Raiders can’t afford to lose a defensive standout in Spillane. Vegas tied for 25th in the league in points allowed (25.5) last season.
