The Raiders walked out of Sunday’s 38-17 loss to the 49ers with the kind of result that never really felt in doubt. San Francisco was at home, coming off a bye, and already looked like the better team on paper. By the time it was over, the bigger question wasn’t the final score - it was what the game said about where the Raiders go next.
One of the clearest signs is that Fernando Mendoza’s chance is getting closer.
Kirk Cousins finished with one touchdown pass and three interceptions, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Even so, if he isn’t traded this week, there’s a strong chance he only has two more starts left.
The next two opponents - the Seahawks and Broncos - bring two of the league’s best defenses, and that could make the Raiders hesitant to throw Mendoza into the fire right away. After that stretch, though, the schedule opens up a bit with the Browns, a bye week, then the Chargers, Broncos, Titans, Cardinals and Chiefs.
Cousins still has trade value, and the Raiders would be smart to cash in if they can this week. The fact that he stayed in the game even after it had turned into garbage time, though, may suggest the coaching staff isn’t especially close to making the switch to Mendoza.
Up front, the same problem keeps showing up: the Raiders are getting pushed around in the trenches.
The offensive line has struggled badly against stronger defensive fronts, and the interior has been a major trouble spot. Spencer Burford is not the long-term answer at his spot, just as Cousins doesn’t look like the answer at quarterback going into next year. If the Raiders believe in Jackson Powers-Johnson, they should give him a shot on the left side sooner rather than later.
Trey Zuhn III left Sunday’s game with a concussion, which likely means Burford will get another chance next week to prove himself.
The defensive line hasn’t offered much more comfort. Outside of Maxx Crosby and Tonka Hemingway, there don’t appear to be long-term solutions on the roster right now. Getting Keyron Crawford back next year is something the Raiders are hoping helps.
If this team is going to be a real Super Bowl contender anytime soon, it has to find guards and defensive tackles who can hold up at a high level.
That reality should also shape what happens before the trade deadline. The Raiders are still alive in the playoff race, but it would be a surprise if they acted like buyers. More likely, they should be open to offers on just about everyone except Mendoza and Brock Bowers.
Cousins is the most obvious trade candidate, but the Raiders would have a decision to make if someone came calling with a big offer for Crosby. Powers-Johnson and Adam Butler could also draw some interest. And if a team needs help at cornerback, Eric Stokes is available for a call, too.
In Other News...
Raiders May Have Found A First Round Answer To Their Guard Problem
The Raiders have spent enough time searching for stability on the interior of their offensive line that a first-round solution would be hard to ignore, and Minnesota guard Greg Johnson is starting to look like the kind of prospect who fits that billing. At 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, he brings the size teams want up front, along with the kind of power and movement skills that can help in both pass protection and the run game.
What makes Johnson especially intriguing for Las Vegas is the versatility layered into his profile. He is not just a guard prospect, which matters for a team trying to build flexibility into its line, and his early college performance has only strengthened the case that he could be more than a developmental option. If he is still on the board when the 2027 NFL Draft arrives, the Raiders could have a real answer to one of their most persistent problems. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Face A Trade Deadline Choice That Could Define This Run
The Raiders have spent the first half of the season turning preseason skepticism into something much more interesting, staying in playoff contention and forcing a real conversation about how aggressive they should be before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. With the roster outperforming expectations, the front office now has a chance to treat this as a legitimate run rather than a pleasant surprise, and the next move could say a lot about how seriously the team views its place in the AFC race.
The biggest question is whether Las Vegas chooses to shore up the offense around Ashton Jeanty or reinforce the defensive front for Maxx Crosby, because both areas have been flagged as places where help could matter quickly. Several possible trade targets are already in the mix, and the Raiders do not lack for options, but the harder part is deciding which need is most urgent and which addition would best fit a team trying to keep this momentum alive into November. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Trade Deadline Silence Says Plenty About Their Real Direction
The trade deadline is arriving with the Raiders looking more like a team trying to steady the room than stir it up. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Las Vegas has not received trade inquiries for quarterback Kirk Cousins or defensive standout Maxx Crosby, and the organization is said to have no immediate plans to move either player. The current plan is to keep Cousins in place as the starting quarterback, a sign that the Raiders are at least publicly leaning toward continuity over a deadline reset.
Crosbys name always carries weight in trade chatter, but the silence around him has been just as telling as any rumor. The bigger question is whether the Raiders are simply downplaying interest to keep leverage on their side, or whether this is a real reflection of where they believe the roster stands right now. Either way, the lack of movement suggests a front office that is not eager to make the kind of splash that usually comes with a team trying to change its trajectory in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]