Raiders Rebuild Could Put Historic Franchise Marks Back In Play

Can the revitalized Raiders roster rewrite history with record-breaking feats in the 2026 season?

The Raiders’ record book has been untouched by some truly big numbers over the years, but 2026 could bring a few of those marks into play.

A roster that looks far more competitive than the Raiders have fielded in recent seasons gives a handful of franchise standards a real chance to come down. Most of the all-time numbers in Silver and Black history still feel out of reach, but there are five that stand out as surprisingly attainable.

The most obvious place to start is with Brock Bowers. The tight end is positioned to make a serious run at the Raiders’ single-season receptions mark, and the setup around him helps the case.

He has a solid collection of quarterbacks throwing to him and a play-caller who will scheme him open relentlessly. With Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers no longer in the mix, there’s even more room for Bowers to pile up catches.

Injuries are the main thing standing in his way.

That same logic applies to receiving yards. The article’s confidence in Bowers doesn’t stop at volume; it extends to production.

In a better offensive environment, he should be the centerpiece whenever the Raiders do throw. Las Vegas is expected to be run-heavy, but when the ball comes out, Bowers is set to be the focal point.

Adams’ 2022 season was special, but Bowers’ 2026 campaign could be even better.

There’s also a special teams record that deserves attention. Shane Lechler’s single-season mark for yards per punt sits at 51.1, and A.J.

Cole has been right on the doorstep of it in three of the last five seasons. A reduced workload would help limit variance, and a cleaner operation around him could make a difference too.

Better protection would cut down on problems like blocked punts, something the Raiders have dealt with often in recent years. With a fresh leg and steadier support, Cole has a real shot at making his own place in team history.

On defense, Maxx Crosby is the name to watch. The Raiders’ individual sacks record is still held by Derrick Burgess, whose 16.0 sacks in 2005 remain the standard.

Crosby reached 14.5 in his last healthy season, and the article sees a path for him to break through that ceiling in 2026. A stronger supporting cast up front could help him get there, and the note of a dramatic offseason only adds to the sense that he’s coming in hungry.

The team sack record may be the most reachable of the bunch. With the pass rush looking deeper, Las Vegas could push for the franchise’s single-season mark if everything clicks.

The 17-game schedule makes the target a little more manageable, since the Raiders need just under four sacks per week to get it done. Crosby, Kwity Paye, Malcolm Koonce, a group of interior rushers and some defensive backs who can blitz give this one a legitimate chance to fall in 2026.

In Other News...

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There is also some important clarity on special teams and the back end of the defense, where Dylan Laube and Dareke Young will handle kick returns and Malik Benson is listed as the punt returner. On defense, veteran Foley Fatukasi has carved out a meaningful place in the defensive tackle rotation, and Stukes is set to start at free safety ahead of Isaiah Pola-Mao, a sign the Raiders are leaning into a few different lineup choices as they head into the opener. [Read more 🡒]

Brock Bowers Suddenly Leaves Raiders With A Big Week 1 Problem

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For a Raiders team trying to get its footing in Week 1, the timing is far from ideal. Bowers had already dealt with a knee issue earlier in 2025, and his absence has even moved the betting market for the upcoming matchup with the Miami Dolphins, a reminder of how much pressure now falls on the rest of the offense to pick up the slack. [Read more 🡒]

Raiders May Be Ready To Use Brock Bowers Very Differently

The early read on Brock Bowers in Las Vegas is that the Raiders may not be treating him like a conventional tight end at all. Head coach Klint Kubiak is expected to feature the first-round pick heavily in the offense, and the buzz around the league has only grown as former coaches and media voices have described him as the kind of weapon who can shape how a passing game is built.

That shift matters for a team that took plenty of heat when it used a first-round pick on Bowers in the first place, only for the move to start looking smarter to outside evaluators. The more intriguing question now is how far the Raiders are willing to go in pushing his role beyond the traditional tight-end label, especially with some around the game already talking about him in terms usually reserved for wide receivers. [Read more 🡒]