The Raiders are coming off a 3-14 season, the worst mark in the league, and that kind of finish comes with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But even with that kind of reset, the path out of the AFC West basement is still going to be brutal.
Las Vegas sits in a division loaded with proven quarterbacks, disruptive defenses and teams that have already established themselves. For years, the Raiders have been trying to close the gap without much success. That said, there is at least a window for them to make up some ground now, even if the climb is still steep.
The biggest reason is Kansas City. The Chiefs have ruled the AFC West for most of the last decade, and Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have powered three Super Bowl runs.
Still, the offense has not looked as explosive lately, and Mahomes is coming off a major injury. The Raiders are not better than the Chiefs, but the gap may not be as wide as it once was.
Mahomes, Reid and Kelce are all another year older, and Las Vegas has youth on its side.
That does not mean the dynasty is about to disappear. It does mean there are more questions now than there used to be. Even when Mahomes was healthy last season, Kansas City did not play particularly well, and that leaves at least some uncertainty about how long the run at the top can last.
Denver, though, is the team that makes this division even harder to crack. Sean Payton’s Broncos reached the AFC Championship Game last season before falling to the New England Patriots because they could not move the ball without Bo Nix. Nix is recovering from a broken ankle he suffered in January, but Denver still looks loaded.
The Broncos added Jaylen Waddle in March, giving Nix another dangerous target when he returns. They also bring one of the league’s strongest defenses, with Patrick Surtain II and Nik Bonitto leading the way. For the Raiders, that is a tough obstacle, especially after Denver has long been a team they had controlled.
The Chargers are also hanging around. They may not have enough to chase Denver for the division crown, but Justin Herbert keeps them dangerous. Los Angeles will need Omarion Hampton to be unlocked if it wants to get back to the postseason.
On that side of the ball, the Chargers have plenty of recognizable names, including former Raider Khalil Mack, Daiyan Henley, Derwin James Jr. and Tuli Tuipulotu. Jesse Minter is gone, with a new defensive coordinator stepping in, but the defense should still be solid.
So yes, the Raiders could still wind up in last place again. The rest of the AFC West is simply further along right now. But they should not be as buried as they have been in recent seasons, and Klint Kubiak should have them ready to compete with the best of the division.
In Other News...
Raiders Suddenly Have A Real Question At Corner With Darien Porter
Darien Porter arrived in Las Vegas as one of the more intriguing developmental bets in the 2025 draft, a third-round corner with a receivers background and enough athletic upside to make the Raiders believe the transition could stick. He spent much of his rookie season behind Kyu Blu Kelly before carving out a bigger role, and the flashes were there even if the consistency was not.
Now the Raiders are asking a bigger question of him in training camp: whether that growth is enough to hold off younger competition and turn potential into a real starting job. Porter has shown enough to stay in the mix, but with the cornerback room still unsettled, he is going to have to clean up the rough edges quickly if he wants to make this a summer of separation instead of another battle for snaps. [Read more 🡒]
Maxx Crosby Trade Talk Just Took A Turn Raiders Fans Will Hate
Maxx Crosbys name is back in the rumor mill, and this time the Seahawks are the team worth watching. Seattle has been linked to the Raiders edge rusher as the market around him shifts, with John Schneiders reputation for bold roster swings making the possibility feel a little more real than a typical offseason whisper. The Seahawks pass rush depth has also changed after recent departures, which only adds to the appeal of a player who would instantly change the tone of that front.
For the Raiders, the wrinkle is that a deal with Seattle would not come out of nowhere. Las Vegas has brought in former Seahawks personnel, including Klint Kubiak, and that connection could help open the door if talks advance. The question now is whether the Raiders are willing to listen if the return starts centering on a first-round pick and a veteran piece from Seattle, or whether Crosbys value keeps the conversation from getting that far. [Read more 🡒]
Why Raiders Fans Should Feel Different About Ashton Jeanty Now
Ashton Jeantys first season in Las Vegas was productive enough to hint at what the Raiders might have, but not explosive enough to satisfy the expectations that followed him into the league. He finished with 1,321 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns, yet the run game never quite took off the way the Raiders hoped, leaving his rookie year feeling more like a preview than a payoff.
Now the conversation shifts to what comes next, and the fit matters as much as the talent. With Klint Kubiak in place as the new offensive coordinator, the Raiders are moving toward a zone-based rushing approach that leans on versatile backs, which could line up better with Jeantys game if the offensive line takes a step forward and the supporting cast holds up. [Read more 🡒]