The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off a 2025 season that can only be described as a full-system failure. Finishing 3-14 and earning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Raiders struggled across the board - from the front office to the sidelines to the field. Nothing clicked, and the results showed.
Pete Carroll, brought in to stabilize the franchise, lasted just one season before being shown the door. His tenure was marred by instability, with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon both dismissed midseason.
Despite the chaos, the organization let Carroll finish the season - hoping for signs of progress. They never came.
Quarterback play was a glaring issue, arguably the worst in the league. That’s expected to change soon, with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza widely projected as the top overall pick.
But even with a potential franchise quarterback on the way, the Raiders have a long list of problems to address before they can think about contending. And no issue is more pressing than the offensive line.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Raiders’ offensive line graded out as the worst in the NFL in 2025 - and the numbers back that up. Las Vegas surrendered 47 sacks, the most in the league, and posted a league-worst 79.3 pass-blocking efficiency rating. That’s not just bad - that’s historically bad.
The biggest culprits? Center Jordan Meredith and right tackle DJ Glaze, who struggled mightily in pass protection.
Left tackle Stone Forsythe, filling in for an injured Kolton Miller, allowed a league-high 11 sacks. Glaze wasn’t far behind with 10.
When your left and right tackles are 1-2 in sacks allowed, your quarterback doesn’t stand a chance - no matter who’s under center.
Fixing the offensive line has to be a top priority this offseason, and that starts in free agency. One name to watch: Braden Smith, the veteran right tackle and former Colt.
Smith brings size, strength, and experience - standing 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 312 pounds. He’s known for his ability to anchor against power rushers, and his 2025 campaign showed he still has plenty left in the tank.
Smith started 13 games for Indianapolis last season and allowed just one sack and six quarterback hits on 26 total pressures. His pass block win rate jumped 7% from the previous year - a promising sign that he’s trending in the right direction. Injuries have been a concern - he’s missed 17 games over the past three seasons - but when healthy, Smith is a steady presence on the edge.
The Colts may try to bring him back, but with Las Vegas desperate for help up front, expect the Raiders to be aggressive in their pursuit. Adding a proven veteran like Smith would be a major step toward stabilizing the offensive line and giving their next quarterback - likely Mendoza - a fighting chance.
The head coaching search is still ongoing, with Klint Kubiak emerging as a top target. With Kubiak currently preparing for the Super Bowl, the Raiders appear willing to wait - a sign they’re serious about building the right foundation.
But regardless of who’s calling plays next season, the message is clear: the offensive line has to get better. And fast.
This offseason isn’t just about drafting a quarterback. It’s about protecting him. And if the Raiders can’t do that, 2026 might look a lot like 2025 - and that’s the last thing anyone in Las Vegas wants.