All articles tagged with #raiders
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a Heisman Trophy winner, treats the NFL Scouting Combine as his job interview and remains hopeful about being the Raiders’ No. 1 pick, though he says any draft slot would be a blessing; the Raiders—coming off a 3-14 season—have already hosted a formal interview, and Mendoza vows to give his best to whichever team selects him.
Raiders reportedly want a two‑first‑round pick package plus a player for Maxx Crosby—the same deal Cowboys received for Micah Parsons—an exorbitant price given Crosby’s age, though Raiders GM John Spytek says Crosby is expected to play in 2026 as the team rebuilds.
At the NFL combine in Indianapolis, the piece outlines six storylines shaping free agency and the draft: attention on the 2027 quarterback class and possible veteran trades for future capital, the Raiders reportedly eyeing Fernando Mendoza as a near-lock, a looming market for Tyler Linderbaum if he hits free agency, whether the Chargers finally open the purse strings with substantial cap space, Malik Willis to the Cardinals as a prime scenario, and the Chiefs' push to improve the run game with a mix of options while balancing needs at edge and receiver.
Las Vegas won’t part with the No. 1 pick easily, but the piece lays out four aggressive trade proposals centered on Fernando Mendoza, with Maxx Crosby included in every deal. The teams pitched as potential buyers are the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Jets. Each scenario envisions trading for Mendoza using substantial draft capital or key players to upgrade at quarterback, while addressing different needs (Texans replacing Stroud and adding weapons, Cardinals upgrading with Kyler Murray and improving the line, Vikings swapping J.J. McCarthy and Jordan Addison with Geno Smith as a bridge, Jets offering multiple first- and second-round picks). The Raiders would reportedly require at least two first-round picks for such a swap, and these trades would reboot Vegas around Mendoza if they come to fruition.
Day 1 of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis featured frigid winds and media sessions as Raiders GM John Spytek signaled that Maxx Crosby will remain with the team and hinted Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza could be the No. 1 pick. The piece also covers Bears backup Tyson Bagent’s status and Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley’s leadership, all amid a refreshed podium setup. A personal aside notes the Stompers step-tracking app.
Justin Melo's pre-Combine 2026 NFL Mock Draft projects Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 pick for the Las Vegas Raiders and outlines 32 first-round selections plus bonus picks, highlighting team needs across QB, OL, EDGE and more ahead of the Indianapolis combine.
Las Vegas heads to Indianapolis with the No. 1 pick in mind and targets six offensive prospects to bolster the offense: QB Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt); RB Jadarian Price (Notre Dame); WR Elijah Sarratt (Indiana); TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon); OL Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon); and OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami). The piece notes Mendoza (Indiana QB) is widely projected as the Raiders’ top pick but isn’t expected to drill, while Pavia’s efficiency and athleticism, Price’s change-of-pace potential, Sarratt’s receiving upside, Sadiq’s versatility at tight end, and the line choices from Pregnon and Mauigoa could influence Raiders’ draft decisions.
CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan floated five Crosby trade scenarios, with the standout sending Maxx Crosby to the Patriots for two 2026 top-100 picks (No. 31 and No. 63) plus DT Christian Barmore; the deal would give the Raiders five top-100 picks in 2026 (plus pick 102) to fuel the rebuild, while New England would land a premier edge rusher, though Barmore’s impact against the run would be limited.
Albert Breer explains why Las Vegas hired Klint Kubiak—an AFC West native with a leadership-forward approach—after a committee-driven search that valued accountability and a willingness to rebuild a storied franchise. The piece also covers the Bills’ selection of Joe Brady as OC after a thorough interview process, plus broader NFL takeaways: defensive coaches stepping into head coaching roles, the Harbaugh–Giants staff setup, Schwartz’s year off, Rooney Rule issues and diversity pipeline, Travis Hunter’s two-way usage, Jets’ off-season coaching shuffles, and other quick-hitter moves that signal a league in transition toward 2026.
The Las Vegas Raiders have announced the hiring of Matt Robinson as their new secondary coach. Robinson previously coached the Ravens’ outside linebackers and spent time with the Giants this offseason before moving to Las Vegas, with Ravens coach John Harbaugh reportedly blessing the interview and departure in what’s described as a sanctioned lateral move.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak is filling out his first staff by promoting Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator and keeping Joe Woods as defensive pass game coordinator, with Leonard previously serving as defensive line coach and Woods bringing prior coordinating experience from the Browns and Saints.
Klint Kubiak promotes Rob Leonard, a former Pete Carroll aide who has been with the Raiders since 2023, to defensive coordinator after Patrick Graham leaves for Pittsburgh. Joe Woods is joining as pass game coordinator. Leonard’s Seattle connection and the Raiders’ recent staffing suggest continued continuity for both Vegas and, potentially, the Seahawks, with limited movement of Mike Macdonald-era assistants to Vegas.
The Las Vegas Raiders will promote defensive line coach/run game coordinator Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator and also retain defensive pass game coordinator Joe Woods, keeping continuity on Klint Kubiak’s staff as Woods brings extensive NFL defensive coaching experience.
The Las Vegas Raiders hired Klint Kubiak as head coach on February 9, 2026, highlighting his extensive NFL coaching résumé across multiple teams—Texas A&M, Vikings, Broncos, 49ers, Saints, and Seahawks—culminating in Seattle’s 2025 Super Bowl-winning offense before taking the Raiders job.
Las Vegas has named Klint Kubiak as head coach, adding a coach with 13 NFL seasons of experience and a strong offensive track record to the Raiders. Most recently the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator during their 2025 Super Bowl-winning run, Kubiak has also served as OC/Passing Game Coordinator for the 49ers, Vikings, Broncos, and Saints, and hails from a coaching family—the late Gary Kubiak is a Super Bowl-winning former head coach. The hire, which makes father and son Gary and Klint Kubiak the 10th father-son NFL head-coach duo and first to win a Super Bowl, signals a focus on offense and stability as he eyes Las Vegas as a long-term home.