The Las Vegas Raiders have been in a near-constant state of flux when it comes to leadership. Head coaches and general managers have come and gone at a dizzying pace, and while that kind of turnover wears on fans, it’s even tougher on the players-especially the young ones.
For third-year Raiders, this marks their third head coach and fourth general manager. That’s not just instability-it’s a full-blown identity crisis.
And in the NFL, where development is everything, that kind of churn can derail promising careers before they even get off the ground. Learning a new playbook every year, adjusting to different coaching styles, and trying to find your place in a system that might not be built for you-it’s a tall order for any player, let alone one still trying to find his footing in the league.
Tommy Eichenberg: Making the Most of His Shot
That brings us to linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, a second-year player who’s quietly been grinding behind the scenes. Drafted in the fifth round in 2024, Eichenberg spent his rookie season buried on the depth chart behind Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo in a 4-2-5 setup. Fast forward to this season, and he’s now sitting behind a new trio-Devin White, Elandon Roberts, and Jamal Adams-in a 4-3 scheme.
So not only is he learning a new defense, but he’s doing it under a new coaching staff that didn’t draft him and may not fully know what he brings to the table. That’s a tough spot for any young player. But Eichenberg’s been doing what he can-contributing on special teams, staying ready, and waiting for his number to be called.
That moment came in Week 15 against the Eagles. With a few more snaps to work with, Eichenberg showed why he might be worth a longer look.
He logged four defensive tackles, including a run stop and a tackle for loss. He also added a special teams tackle and, in his four coverage snaps, wasn’t targeted once.
That’s the kind of clean, efficient play that earns trust.
One of his most impressive moments? A well-executed rep as a quarterback spy on Jalen Hurts-something the Raiders haven’t consistently gotten from their linebacker group this season. That kind of situational awareness and athleticism is hard to teach, and it’s exactly what you want to see from a young player trying to carve out a role.
Small Sample, Solid Impact
Eichenberg’s playing time has been limited-just 47 defensive snaps all season-but he’s made the most of them. He’s recorded five defensive tackles, hasn’t missed a single one, and has given up just three catches for 21 yards in coverage.
He’s not lighting up the stat sheet, but he’s been rock-solid when called upon. That matters.
Last week against Denver, he played just five snaps, made one tackle, and allowed a five-yard catch. This week, he looked more comfortable, more decisive. That kind of incremental growth is what you want to see from a developmental linebacker.
With the Raiders out of playoff contention, this is the perfect time to give players like Eichenberg extended run. White has been an ironman, playing every defensive snap this season, and both Roberts and Adams have proven their value. But this is when you start evaluating the depth, the future pieces, the guys who could be part of the next chapter.
Eichenberg might just be one of those guys.
A Glimpse of What Could Be
It’s easy to overlook a fifth-round linebacker who spends most of his time on special teams. But Eichenberg was a national champion at Ohio State for a reason. He’s got the pedigree, the work ethic, and now, he’s starting to flash the potential.
He’s not a finished product-not yet. But what he’s showing in limited action is encouraging.
He’s playing with confidence, staying disciplined in coverage, and bringing physicality in the run game. That’s the kind of foundation you can build on.
For a team trying to find some stability amid all the chaos, players like Eichenberg offer a bit of hope. He may not be the headline name on the roster, but don’t be surprised if he becomes a key piece of the Raiders’ linebacker rotation moving forward.
In a season that’s been anything but predictable, Tommy Eichenberg is giving the Raiders something they desperately need: consistency, effort, and maybe, just maybe, a glimpse of the future.