Training camp is about to put the Las Vegas Raiders under the microscope, and three issues stand out before the 2026 season gets rolling.
The first centers on cornerback Jermod McCoy, a fourth-round pick whose health has suddenly become one of the most important topics on the roster. McCoy was viewed as one of the draft’s top prospects before concerns about the durability of his surgically repaired knee pushed him from a projected Top-15 pick all the way to the first selection on Day Three.
He brings real talent to the secondary, and the Raiders are encouraged by what they’re seeing, including from head coach Klint Kubiak. Still, there’s no getting around the fact that his knee is a major camp storyline because of how much he could matter to the defense.
The quarterback situation is just as intriguing, if not more so. This is a huge summer for Aidan O’Connell, who now finds himself in a battle for his place on the roster after the Raiders signed Kirk Cousins in free agency and drafted Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall.
O’Connell can still stick, but if he turns in a strong camp and preseason, he could also draw interest from quarterback-needy teams. There’s a real sense that he has the talent to start in the NFL, even if that opportunity probably won’t come in Las Vegas.
That makes his situation one of the most compelling on the team.
Then there’s the offensive line, where the Raiders chose not to bring in a pure tackle and instead are leaning on DJ Glaze. The former Maryland Terrapin had a rough year at tackle last season, giving up 48 pressures, the second-most in the NFL, behind only Dallas’ Terrance Steele.
For a line that was the worst in the league, passing on a clear upgrade or meaningful competition for Glaze was a notable decision. Third-round pick Trey Zuhn III played tackle in college and could push for the job, but this still looks like Glaze’s spot to lose unless camp goes badly.
His progress this offseason and through the preseason will be worth watching closely, because the Raiders need him to take a step forward.
In Other News...
Ravens Just Dragged Raiders Back Into The Tyler Linderbaum Drama
Baltimore is moving quickly to shore up the middle of its offensive line after Tyler Linderbaum left for Las Vegas in free agency, turning to veteran center Ethan Pocic on a one-year deal. The move gives the Ravens an experienced option at a spot that suddenly needed one, and it comes with a little extra intrigue because Pocic is still working back from an Achilles tendon tear suffered in December.
Even with that recovery timeline, Pocic is expected to be part of training camp, pending the final physical, which makes this a calculated bet rather than a simple stopgap. It also fits into a broader offseason pattern for Baltimore, which has already shown it is willing to pivot after missing on Maxx Crosby and landing Trey Hendrickson instead, leaving the Linderbaum ripple effect very much alive for the Raiders to watch. [Read more 🡒]
Another Raiders Line Gamble Just Turned Into A Much Bigger Problem
The Raiders brought in Alex Cappa last year hoping a veteran blocker could stabilize a line that needed help, but the fit never really took hold. He bounced between spots, never locked down a consistent starting job and struggled to find much traction as injuries and lineup changes forced him into different roles.
Now, with training camps approaching, Cappa is already off the roster and still looking for his next opportunity. His recent tape has drawn poor marks, and the conversation around him has shifted from what position he might hold for Las Vegas to whether there is still a place for him anywhere in the league. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Made A Massive Bet To Fix Their Biggest Problem
The Raiders spent the offseason trying to clean up the mess that has lingered around their offensive line, and the move to bring in Tyler Linderbaum was the clearest sign they were done treating it like a secondary issue. After years of shuffling pieces and searching for stability up front, Las Vegas made the center position a priority and expects Linderbaum to be the kind of anchor that changes how the entire offense functions.
Klint Kubiak has already pointed to the value Linderbaum brings beyond the snap itself, noting the way he handles line calls, protection checks and the leadership work that happens when coaches are not in the room. The Raiders are betting on more than just talent here, because if Linderbaum settles in the way they think he can, he could quickly become one of the most important players on the roster. [Read more 🡒]