The Las Vegas Raiders are turning the page in a big way.
With Klint Kubiak stepping in as head coach and rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza poised to lead the offense, the Silver and Black are entering a new era-one that’s focused on youth, development, and long-term success. And while the Raiders aren’t hurting for cap space (only the Titans have more room to work with), this offseason is less about financial necessity and more about reshaping the roster to reflect the team’s future.
That means some familiar names may not be sticking around. Let’s take a closer look at three players who could be on the chopping block as the Raiders retool for 2026.
Geno Smith: The Last Link to a Short-Lived Era
Geno Smith was brought in during the brief Pete Carroll experiment, and with Carroll gone after just one season, Smith now feels like a holdover from a direction the Raiders are no longer pursuing. On paper, keeping a veteran like Smith around to mentor Mendoza might seem logical-but dig a little deeper, and the fit just isn’t there.
Smith struggled in 2025, and if Mendoza isn’t ready to start Week 1, rolling Smith back out there could stall the offense before it even gets going. Plus, the $26.6 million price tag is steep for a backup or a bridge quarterback who may not be the right mentor for a young signal-caller anyway.
Cutting Smith would save the Raiders $8 million. Not a massive number given their $87 million in cap space, but it’s less about dollars and more about direction.
Moving on would allow the team to bring in a different veteran presence-one better suited to help Mendoza grow-and fully close the book on the Carroll era. It’s a move that signals a fresh start, both on the field and in the locker room.
Adam Butler: Age, Decline, and a Calculated Cap Move
Adam Butler has been a steady, if unspectacular, presence on the Raiders’ defensive line. But at 32 and coming off a down year, he’s become a logical cut candidate.
In 2025, Butler posted just 1.0 sack and three tackles for loss-career lows-and Pro Football Focus ranked him 82nd out of 129 qualified interior linemen. That kind of production isn’t going to cut it on a defense that needs to get younger, faster, and more disruptive up front.
Financially, cutting Butler would save $2.1 million while leaving a $4.4 million dead cap hit. That’s not ideal, but it’s a forward-thinking move. Taking the cap hit now clears the books for 2027, when the Raiders hope to be in full contention mode with Mendoza under center and a more complete roster around him.
It’s a small move in the grand scheme, but as part-owner Tom Brady knows from his playing days, championship teams are built on a series of smart, calculated decisions. This is one of them.
Alex Cappa: Clearing the Lane for Youth
Alex Cappa finds himself in a tough spot-not because of cap issues, but because of timing and performance.
The veteran offensive lineman is in the final year of his contract, and while the Raiders could easily afford his $6 million salary, cutting him would free up $5 million and, more importantly, open the door for second-year lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson.
Last season, Cappa and Powers-Johnson were in a rotation at guard and center. But under offensive line coach Brennan Carroll (Pete’s son), the veteran got the nod more often than not. That limited Powers-Johnson’s development, and then a season-ending injury in 2024 further delayed his progress.
Now, with a new coaching staff and a clean slate, it’s time to invest in the future. Cappa didn’t play well enough last season to justify blocking a young, high-upside lineman from getting reps. Cutting him not only saves money-it gives Powers-Johnson a chance to take over and grow into a foundational piece of the offensive line.
The Bottom Line
The Raiders aren’t making these moves because they have to-they’re making them because they can. With a rookie quarterback contract on the books and nearly $90 million in cap space, Las Vegas is in a rare position of flexibility.
But smart teams don’t just spend money-they spend it wisely. And that starts by letting go of pieces that no longer fit the puzzle.
Moving on from Geno Smith, Adam Butler, and Alex Cappa isn’t about slashing the roster. It’s about aligning every part of this team with the future: a new coach, a young quarterback, and a vision that prioritizes development, cohesion, and long-term success. The Silver and Black are building something new-and these cuts are the first real signs of that foundation being laid.