The Las Vegas Raiders have finally hit the reset button.
After weeks of clinging to faint playoff hopes, Pete Carroll and the Raiders coaching staff appear to have accepted what the standings have made painfully clear: 2025 isn't the year. With a 2-10 record and postseason hopes officially buried, Las Vegas is pivoting to what it should’ve done weeks ago-evaluating the future.
That shift was on full display in Week 13’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The final score-31-14-wasn’t pretty, but the personnel decisions told a different story. For the first time this season, the Raiders leaned into their youth movement, giving rookies and developmental players real reps in meaningful spots.
Caleb Rogers Gets His Shot
The most notable change came on the offensive line, where rookie third-round pick Caleb Rogers stepped in at right guard in place of the injured Jordan Meredith. Rogers, who had been waiting in the wings, finally got the nod-and not just as a fill-in. He rotated with practice squad call-up Atonio Mafi, giving the Raiders a long look at two young interior linemen who could factor into the 2026 depth chart.
It wasn’t perfect, but the reps matter. Rogers showed flashes of the athleticism and raw power that made him a Day 2 pick.
Mafi, meanwhile, brought his usual physicality. For a team that’s struggled to find consistency up front, getting extended film on both is a step in the right direction.
Young Corners Get Their Turn
The same approach showed up on defense. Rookie cornerback Darien Porter, another third-rounder, rotated in with Kyu Blu Kelly, while undrafted rookie Greedy Vance Jr. was elevated for game day and saw action in the slot. That trio represents a clear shift from veteran stopgaps to developmental upside.
And now, Vance is officially part of the Raiders’ future-at least for the rest of this season. Following the loss, the team signed him to the active roster and released linebacker Jamin Davis to make room.
Davis, a former first-round pick by Washington, had bounced around several practice squads before landing in Las Vegas in October. His release marks another chapter in a career that hasn't quite found traction.
Also let go was kicker Greg Joseph, a move that signals Daniel Carlson’s job is safe for now.
Greedy Vance Jr. Gets His Opportunity
But the real story here is Vance. The former Louisville standout was a preseason standout for the Raiders, consistently flashing in camp and in exhibition games.
While he’s only logged 20 total defensive snaps in the regular season-18 in coverage-he’s made the most of them. Two tackles, two catches allowed for 31 yards.
It’s a small sample size, sure, but enough to justify a longer look.
Vance isn’t guaranteed a major role going forward-especially with safety Jeremy Chinn frequently sliding into the slot-but he’s earned the right to compete. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has a knack for finding creative ways to use versatile DBs, and Vance could be a sneaky weapon on corner blitzes, where his quickness and instincts stand out.
A Necessary Next Step
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about tanking. It’s about clarity.
The Raiders have five games left to figure out who belongs in their long-term plans and who doesn’t. Nothing they’ve tried so far has worked, and now it’s time to find out what they’ve got in-house.
That means more Caleb Rogers. More Darien Porter.
More Greedy Vance Jr. It means giving young players real snaps, not just garbage-time cameos.
It means treating every down as a proving ground.
The Raiders might not be playing for the postseason anymore, but they’re finally playing for something real-the future.