The Raiders’ 2026 outlook has a lot to do with the names fans may not be talking about yet.
Las Vegas believes it has the bones of something real taking shape: a head coach, a future franchise quarterback, and several offensive building blocks already in place. That doesn’t guarantee a playoff run, and 2026 might not be the year the drought ends. But the Raiders still have a path to making noise, maybe even to sneaking into the postseason if things break right.
For that to happen, a few under-the-radar players have to do some heavy lifting.
The biggest one may be Paye, whom the Raiders paid to solve a problem they’ve been chasing for years. He’s on a three-year, $48 million deal with $31 million guaranteed, the most significant investment Las Vegas has made in an edge rusher opposite Maxx Crosby since Chandler Jones.
That kind of money comes with real expectations. The Raiders want Paye to be more than a short-term fix - they need him to become the long-term answer to their pass-rush issues.
If he does, the ripple effect is enormous. It would mean the defensive front has started to control games, and that’s the kind of development that changes how a team can win. A lot is riding on Paye finding that level.
On the other side of the ball, Heyward could end up mattering just as much in a very different way. The Raiders want to run the ball and lean into multiple-tight-end looks, and Heyward fits that vision cleanly. He can line up in the backfield and help create room for Ashton Jeanty, throw a key block on a big play, chip in as a receiver, or serve as a goal-line option.
That versatility is exactly what Klint Kubiak had in mind for this offense. With Heyward on the roster, he can use the whole playbook without having to force square pegs into round holes. For a team trying to build a physical, flexible run game, Heyward is a major piece.
Then there’s Hemingway, who could be one of the most important pieces in the new defensive setup. He barely played last season, but when he did get chances, he made them count: four sacks and six quarterback hits in nine games. His frame fits what the Raiders want from a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme, and defensive coordinator Rob Leonard can let him attack as a pass-rusher.
If Hemingway takes the next step, it could mean more than just one player popping. It could signal that several Raiders defenders are ready to rise with him, and that Leonard’s defense is starting to hit another level. In that sense, Hemingway might be the one who opens the door for the whole unit.
In Other News...
Raiders Send Maxx Crosby A Message After Camp Line Was Crossed
A camp scuffle that began near the end of Fridays practice quickly turned into a message from the Raiders about where the line is in August. Head coach Klint Kubiak said the team addressed the incident with the full roster after emotions boiled over between Maxx Crosby and Kirk Cousins, a reminder that even a practice rep can carry consequences when tempers flare.
Kubiaks decision to pull both players from Saturdays session underlined the point the Raiders wanted to make: accountability applies no matter the name on the back of the jersey. Crosby and Cousins were involved in the kind of short-lived confrontation that can happen in camp, but the equal punishment makes clear the team was more interested in reinforcing standards than letting the matter linger. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders QB Battle Just Got More Complicated For Kirk Cousins
The Raiders quarterback competition has taken another turn as training camp rolls on, with Klint Kubiak making clear that Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza and Aidan OConnell are all being prepared to play. The head coachs comments suggest the team is keeping the door open on multiple options, and they also underline how much of this battle is still about evaluation rather than a settled depth chart.
Cousins has handled all of the first-team reps so far, but Kubiak still has not named a starter. Mendozas progress has drawn enough attention that the rookie is being treated as ready to handle NFL responsibilities, even as Kubiak noted how hard it can be for first-year players to adjust to the league. For now, the Raiders are still sorting through the picture, and the most important decision in the room remains unfinished. [Read more 🡒]
Maxx Crosby Just Put Raiders Camp Intensity In The Spotlight
Training camp can bring out a little edge, and the Raiders got a reminder of that when Maxx Crosby and Kirk Cousins got into a brief shoving match before teammates stepped in. It was the kind of fast-moving flare-up that usually says more about the heat of camp than any real lingering issue, especially when two established leaders are trying to set a tone on their side of the ball.
Crosby has long been one of the NFLs most relentless players, but he has also talked about the challenge of keeping that intensity from spilling over into penalties or unnecessary chaos. Cousins, meanwhile, has brought a competitive presence to the offense, which is part of why these moments stand out at practice, even if the bigger message from the staff is simple: play hard, stay locked in, and keep it from going any further. [Read more 🡒]