The Raiders keep giving their fan base a reason to look ahead, but John Spytek’s rebuild is pointing even further down the road.
That’s the real tell in Las Vegas right now: this isn’t being framed as a quick fix. Spytek made that plain when he talked about the kind of head coach he wants leading the next chapter.
“We’re looking for someone to build this the right way,” Spytek said. “Not think we’ve got to produce 10 wins next season.”
That line says a lot about where the Raiders are headed. Last offseason under then-coach Pete Carroll, the roster was stocked with veterans such as Jamal Adams, Elandon Roberts and Amari Cooper in an effort to compete immediately. This offseason has gone in a different direction, with the focus shifting toward younger players on long-term deals.
The wide receiver room is one of the biggest remaining holes, and it’s a spot the Raiders could have attacked in the 2026 NFL Draft. Spytek passed. There are still several solid veteran receivers sitting unsigned, so the team has another route if it wants to patch the problem before long.
But the bigger picture is already starting to take shape, and it runs through the 2027 NFL Draft. Two names stand out as major possibilities at receiver: Jeremiah Smith and Cam Coleman.
Either one would change the feel of the offense. Both would help Fernando Mendoza by making life easier for him in the passing game, and both would pull defensive attention away from Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty.
Smith offers a big frame, vertical speed and dependable hands. Coleman brings a tall, smooth build and a strong catch radius.
Even with multiple pass catchers already added this offseason, either receiver would have a real shot to step in and start right away.
The challenge for Las Vegas in the meantime is obvious. The 2026 schedule is a brutal one.
Playing in the AFC West means dealing with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert twice each year, and that alone makes the path to contention steep. Add in a slate that also includes every NFC West team, and the degree of difficulty only climbs, especially with that division featuring three championship contenders.
ESPN ranked the Raiders as the sixth-worst roster in the NFL, and even after the offseason additions, playoff hopes still look like a long shot.
That doesn’t mean the roster won’t improve. It should.
But the signs are pointing to a season where Spytek is more interested in development than a desperate chase for immediate results. The idea is clear: get better now, build properly, and keep the bigger payoff in view.
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Why Raiders Fans Should Feel Different About Ashton Jeanty Now
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Now the conversation shifts to what comes next, and the fit matters as much as the talent. With Klint Kubiak in place as the new offensive coordinator, the Raiders are moving toward a zone-based rushing approach that leans on versatile backs, which could line up better with Jeantys game if the offensive line takes a step forward and the supporting cast holds up. [Read more 🡒]