The Las Vegas Raiders have had a whirlwind of an offseason, making significant moves to revamp their roster after finishing with the league's worst record in 2025. General Manager John Spytek has been busy, pulling out all the stops to bolster the team. The Raiders signed 10 new free agents, re-signed three of their own, and made a trade to bring in fresh talent.
However, the plan hit a snag when a major trade involving star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby fell apart. Initially, Crosby was set to join the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a couple of first-round draft picks.
This move was designed to free up cap space, which the Raiders had already earmarked for their new signings. But the deal unraveled when the Ravens backed out, citing health concerns about Crosby.
Despite this unexpected twist, the Raiders decided to honor their commitments to the players they had agreed to sign. GM John Spytek stood firm, stating that the team doesn’t back out of agreements.
This could be seen as a subtle dig at the Ravens, though Spytek didn't elaborate further. With Crosby still on the roster, the Raiders are managing a payroll that leaves them with $24 million in cap space.
This financial cushion is likely to support their incoming rookie class, potentially headlined by Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, as they approach the 2026 NFL Draft.
The highlight of the Raiders' offseason acquisitions is undoubtedly Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum. Considered one of the premier interior offensive linemen in the league, Linderbaum inked a groundbreaking three-year, $81 million contract.
#Raiders GM John Spytek on whether there was any consideration of backing out of any agreements with free agents:
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) March 30, 2026
“No. No, we never would operate like that.” pic.twitter.com/xd5BZyPu7o
Other key additions include linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, wide receiver Jalen Nailor, and defensive end Kwiti Paye. The Raiders also retained standout cornerback Eric Stokes and struck a trade with the Buffalo Bills to bring in cornerback Taron Johnson.
With these strategic moves, the Raiders are poised for a fresh start, blending veteran prowess with promising new talent as they gear up for the upcoming season.