Rookie Guard Caleb Rogers Shines Bright in Raiders' Week 14 Loss to Broncos
The scoreboard didn’t offer much comfort for the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14, as they dropped their seventh straight game - this one to the Denver Broncos - and remain winless in the AFC West at 0-5. But while the loss extended a frustrating stretch for the Silver and Black, it also quietly delivered something far more valuable than a win at this stage of the season: real signs of growth from their young core.
And no one stood out more than rookie offensive guard Caleb Rogers.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a moral victory. The Raiders have now lost 11 of their last 12, and the season has long since veered into evaluation mode. But if you're looking for silver linings, Rogers’ performance wasn’t just encouraging - it was eye-opening.
A Clean Sheet Against One of the NFL’s Best Fronts
Making just his second career start, the third-round pick out of Texas Tech went wire-to-wire at guard - no rotation, no relief. And he did it against a Denver defensive line that’s been giving opposing quarterbacks nightmares all season.
The result? Rogers didn’t just hold his own. He dominated.
According to Pro Football Focus, Rogers logged 51 offensive snaps, including 41 in pass protection - and didn’t allow a single sack, hit, hurry, or pressure. Zeroes across the board.
That’s not just solid play. That’s elite-level pass protection, especially for a rookie facing one of the most disruptive fronts in football.
For context, back in Week 10, veterans Jackson Powers-Johnson and Alex Cappa surrendered a sack and two hurries against this same Broncos defense - and that was on fewer pass-blocking reps. Rogers outperformed seasoned linemen in a high-pressure environment, and he made it look routine.
The Hidden Details That Matter
It wasn’t just about the box score, either. Rogers showed the kind of awareness and poise that typically takes years to develop.
One standout moment came when he flawlessly picked up a stunt, giving quarterback Geno Smith a clean pocket to hit Ian Thomas for a first down. It’s the kind of play that won’t show up in the highlight reel but makes all the difference in sustaining drives.
These are the subtle, technical wins that coaches obsess over - and that offensive linemen rarely get credit for. But if you watched Rogers closely on Sunday, you saw a young player who’s starting to figure it out.
Pete Carroll Takes Notice
Head coach Pete Carroll, who’s been cautious about handing full-time reps to younger players this season, acknowledged the significance of Rogers’ performance after the game.
“Caleb got to play a whole game today. That's magnificent for us to evaluate and for his growth and all of that,” Carroll said postgame.
“It didn't seem like the issues were there. I didn't see any issues with him watching the game from the sidelines.”
That’s high praise from a coach who’s notoriously tough on trench play. And once Carroll dives into the game film, he’s likely to be even more impressed.
A Glimpse of What’s Possible
While rookies like wide receiver Jack Bech and cornerback Darien Porter also made their presence felt, and backup quarterback Kenny Pickett showed flashes, Rogers’ performance stood out as the most complete and impactful of the bunch.
And here’s the key: this wasn’t just a “good for a rookie” kind of game. This was a good game, period.
Against a top-tier defensive front. In a full-time role.
With zero help.
For a Raiders team that’s clearly building toward 2026 - and now sits at No. 2 in the projected draft order - moments like this matter. They’re the foundation pieces.
The hidden gems in a tough season. And if Rogers can build on this, Las Vegas may have found a long-term answer on the interior line.
In a season where wins have been hard to come by, that’s a victory worth holding onto.