The NFL offseason is often just as fascinating as the regular season, with teams making bold trades, hiring new staff, and drafting young talent to shape the future of their franchises. This year, the Las Vegas Raiders made headlines with the surprising hiring of former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. Following an impressive rookie season from Brock Bowers, the untapped potential of tight end Michael Mayer, and the potential trade of Maxx Crosby, paired with Carroll’s proven ability to identify star talent in the NFL Draft and the second-most cap space in the NFL this offseason, it’s exciting to consider the significant improvements the Raiders could make in the 2025-26 season.
Brock Bowers: A Rookie Sensation
Brock Bowers was drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and was highly regarded as a transformative addition to a Raider offense needing improvement. He exceeded the expectations, finishing his rookie season with 112 receptions and 1,194 receiving yards. Bowers set new records for the most receptions by an NFL rookie, surpassing the previous record of 105 receptions set by Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua in 2023. He also broke the record for the most receiving yards by a rookie tight end, previously held by NFL Hall of Famer and Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka, who had 1,076 receiving yards.
Brock Bowers entered the NFL as a highly touted prospect from the University of Georgia, recognized as the best tight end in the draft and arguably one of the top tight end prospects of the last five years. His reputation is well-deserved. At Georgia, Bowers established himself as a physical and dynamic playmaker with an exceptional football IQ. His versatility as both a pass-catcher and a blocker enhances the Raiders’ offense, establishing him as a key player for Las Vegas for years. Bowers’ impact in Vegas is already evident, and if his teammate Michael Mayer has a fully healthy season in 2025, the potential for this Raiders offense to become truly explosive is limitless.
Michael Mayer: A Top Pick Ready to Shine
Before Brock Bowers, there was Michael Mayer. Like Bowers, Mayer was highly regarded as a key piece for the Raiders’ offense after being selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. Although he missed three games in his rookie season due to a toe injury and six games this year for personal reasons, we should not overlook what made Mayer a highly-rated draft pick. Like Bowers, he is one of the few tight ends in the NFL who excels both as a pass catcher and a blocker. His ability to find soft spots in coverage and his reliability in the open field make him a valuable asset to any quarterback.
Mayer’s primary focus this offseason will be maintaining his health and further refining his game. With Brock Bowers’ historic production this season, Mayer will likely face more favorable defensive matchups next season. Capitalizing on these matchups will enhance the Raiders’ offense and help Mayer prove that the team made the right choice in drafting him 35th overall in the NFL Draft two years ago.
With Bowers dominating in his rookie season and Mayer’s flashes of brilliance over the past two years, the Raiders have the potential to build an offense centered around two young tight ends with superstar potential. This model could mirror the success of the New England Patriots’ two-tight end offense, which featured Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.
Maxx Crosby: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?
The future of Maxx Crosby’s career with the Raiders is a significant topic of speculation this season. In 2022, Crosby signed a four-year, $94 million rookie extension, which ties him to the team through the 2026 NFL season. Following that extension, Crosby experienced the best season of his career, achieving personal bests in total tackles, sacks (ranking 6th in the NFL with 14.5), and tackles for loss (leading the NFL with 23). He finished 4th in the Defensive Player of the Year voting and was named to the 2023 All-Pro Second Team. Despite missing five games this season due to an ankle injury that required surgery, Crosby appears ready for another standout year in 2024.
As he approaches his 28th birthday in August, Crosby and the Raiders face a critical decision. For a player of his caliber, enduring uncertainty during his prime years is not ideal. Crosby has clearly expressed his desire to make the most of this time and wants to be in a situation where he can contend for championships instead of going through a rebuild. Crosby does not seem to be the type of player who would demand a trade, which is a relief for the Raiders, given that superstar players often request to leave their current situations for what they perceive as better opportunities. While the decision may be straightforward for Crosby, it is more complicated for the Raiders.
The Raiders cannot take Crosby’s current performance for granted. Assuming he returns from his ankle injury and is fully healthy next season, it is likely that he will continue playing at his high level and have another season worthy of Defensive Player of the Year consideration. Owner Mark Davis has made it clear that he has no intentions of trading Crosby, and the choice to hire Pete Carroll demonstrates Davis’s commitment to maximizing Crosby’s prime years while transforming the Raiders into a competitive team in the AFC by the start of 2025 season.
The question of whether to trade Maxx Crosby is a difficult one. Although Davis has no plans to trade the star pass rusher now, the situation is more fluid than either side might want to admit. Crosby does not appear to be the player who would hold out for a trade; however, nothing is certain in today’s sports landscape. Meanwhile, the Raiders cannot afford to miss the opportunity to trade Crosby, whose value is higher than ever. If there is hope for retaining Crosby beyond 2026, it rests on Pete Carroll’s shoulders.
Pete Carroll: The Silver Lining
Hiring Pete Carroll came as a surprise to many in the NFL community. Previously, Carroll had stepped down from his position as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks and taken on an advisory role within the organization. He served as Seattle’s head coach for 13 years, from 2010 to 2023, leading the team to five NFC West division titles, 10 playoff appearances, back-to-back NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl appearances in 2013 and 2014, and securing the franchise’s first and only Super Bowl victory in 2013. Carroll’s tenure in Seattle was incredibly successful. Although revitalizing the Raiders is a significant challenge, there may be no better candidate than Pete Carroll.
Carroll brings to Las Vegas a coaching style that emphasizes a strong defensive foundation, a balanced offensive strategy, and a culture of competition. These principles are ideal for setting new expectations for a franchise that desperately needs a shift in culture and identity while aligning well with the philosophies that characterized the Raiders during their glory days. Additionally, Carroll has shown a remarkable ability to identify young, impactful talent throughout his career.
After the Legion of Boom era in Seattle ended, Carroll focused on rebuilding the team’s roster to regain its former dominance. From 2019 to 2024, he played a crucial role in drafting several key players, including wide receivers D.K. Metcalf (2019) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2023), offensive tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas (2022), cornerbacks Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen (2022) and Devon Witherspoon (2023), as well as defensive tackle Byron Murphy (2024). All of these players are now significant contributors to Seattle’s roster. As he embarks on his new journey to rebuild the Raiders in the AFC West, a seemingly daunting task, Carroll takes over a team with eight picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, including the sixth overall pick, and the potential for additional draft capital if Maxx Crosby is traded. With Carroll’s talent for drafting players and the Raiders’ robust financial resources, this offseason could mark the start of a promising future in Las Vegas.
2025 Cap Space: Scared Money Don’t Make Money
The Raiders have a promising $92.5 million in cap space this offseason. Their priority should be to address the 15 players on their roster who are free agents or nearing the end of their rookie contracts in 2024. They should also consider the 10 players in similar situations for 2025. After that, finding a quarterback should be their top focus.
The Raiders shouldn’t draft a quarterback with the sixth pick this year. Although there are notable names like Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) and Cam Ward (Miami), the likelihood of landing either at that pick is slim. The chances of finding a genuine franchise quarterback who isn’t Sanders or Ward are even slimmer. Instead, they should target one of three quarterbacks for 2025: Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, or J.J. McCarthy.
Kirk Cousins’ time with Atlanta is over, and as the Falcons focus on Michael Penix Jr., Cousins will surely be cut in the coming weeks. Despite a disappointing end to his season, Cousins had a strong start, especially after recovering from an Achilles injury. Signing him to a one- or two-year deal as a veteran bridge quarterback would be an excellent move for the Raiders while they wait for a true franchise quarterback in future drafts.
Despite struggling in the playoffs, Sam Darnold had the best season of his career on a one-year “prove-it” deal in Minnesota. If the Vikings stick with a healthy J.J. McCarthy, Darnold could be a solid Plan B for the Raiders if Cousins isn’t available.
J.J. McCarthy’s rookie season was cut short by a meniscus tear during the preseason against the Raiders. If the Vikings choose to keep Darnold or turn to Daniel Jones, McCarthy might become available, offering the Raiders a chance to acquire a young, potential franchise quarterback. While trading for McCarthy would require some draft capital, it could be worth the investment.
If the Raiders secure Cousins, Darnold, or McCarthy this offseason, they can use their remaining cap space and draft picks to fill other roster needs. They have various deficiencies at nearly every position except tight end. With promising prospects like running back Ashton Jeanty (Boise State) and wide receiver Isaiah Bolden (Texas), along with potential free agent signings such as wide receiver Elijah Moore or running back Najee Harris, the Raiders have a chance for a significant roster overhaul this offseason if they strategize wisely.
Final Thoughts
The Raiders were the only team in the AFC West to miss the playoffs this season, and now it’s time for them to make the necessary moves to become competitive and regain their status as a respected franchise in the NFL. There’s a lot of work ahead, and as the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Fortunately, the Raiders have a solid foundation to build this new era.
The potential of the tight end pairing of Bowers and Mayer is undeniable. If Maxx Crosby chooses to stay in Las Vegas, he will likely continue to be one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL. However, if Crosby is traded, it could provide the Raiders with additional draft capital to support their rebuild. The hiring of Pete Carroll was surprising, but he is well-equipped to guide this team. With Carroll’s proven track record of identifying young talent and over $90 million in salary cap space to utilize, the Raiders we see in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season will look quite different from the team we observed in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season.
The success of Pete Carroll’s tenure as head coach in Las Vegas will not be fully evident until it concludes. However, if his past performances are any indication and Mark Davis is genuinely committed to winning, the Raiders’ potential is limitless as they work to reshape their future and redefine their identity in the coming months. Despite all the uncertainty surrounding the offseason, one thing is clear: Pete Carroll was this NFL offseason’s best head coaching hire.
