The Las Vegas Raiders have officially closed the book on a brutal 2025 campaign - one that ended with a hard-fought 14-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, but still left them sitting at 3-14 and holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That record speaks volumes, and so does the first major move of the offseason: the firing of head coach Pete Carroll.
Now comes the real work.
With a new coaching staff on the horizon and a roster full of holes, Las Vegas has a long to-do list. At the top?
Finding their quarterback of the future - a task that seems destined to be addressed with that No. 1 pick. But if the Raiders want to give that rookie quarterback a real shot at success, the work can’t stop there.
The offensive line needs a serious overhaul.
Offensive Line: The Heart of the Rebuild
Let’s be clear - the Raiders' offensive line wasn’t just a weak spot in 2025, it was a liability. Las Vegas finished dead last in both scoring offense and total yards.
They didn’t crack 30 points once all season. And the front five?
They gave up a league-high 64 sacks and paved the way for a rushing attack that ranked last in yards, touchdowns, and yards per carry.
That’s not just a red flag - that’s a siren.
Yes, the return of Kolton Miller and Jackson Powers-Johnson from injured reserve should bring some stability. Miller is locked in at left tackle, and Powers-Johnson has shown promise. But even with those two back, this group needs help - and fast.
Caleb Rogers provided a glimmer of hope at guard, playing solid football in his six starts. Charles Grant also made the most of his opportunity in Week 18, showing enough to warrant a longer look.
But neither has earned a guaranteed starting job heading into next season. They’re promising pieces, not finished products - and the Raiders will need to bring in real competition to push them.
One key decision for the new coaching staff will be where to line up Powers-Johnson. Center or guard?
That choice will shape the rest of the line. If he slides to guard, the Raiders will need a new anchor in the middle.
If he stays at center, the focus shifts to both guard spots and right tackle.
Free Agency and Draft: Time to Spend and Select Smartly
With nine projected draft picks and over $100 million in cap space, the Raiders have the tools to rebuild this line from the ground up. And they’ll need to hit on both fronts.
One name that jumps off the page in free agency is Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum. At just 25 years old and coming off his third straight Pro Bowl season, Linderbaum would be a foundational piece - a plug-and-play leader who could stabilize the interior for years.
Of course, that kind of talent won’t come cheap, but the Raiders are in a rare position with both cap flexibility and draft capital. If they want to protect their investment in a rookie QB, this is where they need to spend.
Then there’s the question of Dylan Parham. After a step back in 2025, the team will have to decide whether he’s part of the solution or simply depth moving forward.
DJ Glaze, who has started 31 of his first 34 games, remains in the mix at right tackle. But even he could face competition depending on how the draft and free agency shake out.
Protect the Quarterback, Unlock the Offense
At the end of the day, everything the Raiders do this offseason needs to revolve around setting up their next quarterback - and their young running back Ashton Jeanty - for success. Jeanty showed flashes in 2025, but he was often bottled up behind a line that couldn’t open holes. Asking a rookie quarterback to thrive behind that same group would be setting him up to fail.
The offensive line is the engine of any offense. Right now, the Raiders’ engine is sputtering. But with the right moves - and they have the resources to make them - this unit could go from a weakness to a strength in a hurry.
Fixing the offensive line isn’t just a priority. It’s the priority. Nail that, and the rest of the offense has a chance to come alive in 2026.