Raiders Overhaul Roster and Coaching Staff in Ambitious 2025 Bid
The Las Vegas Raiders are entering the 2025 NFL season with a renewed sense of hope and a dramatically altered roster and coaching staff. A disappointing 2024 campaign, which saw the team finish last in the AFC West with a meager four wins, marked the first time since 2018 they occupied the division’s basement. This lackluster performance triggered a sweeping overhaul of the team’s leadership and player personnel, signaling a clear desire to compete for a playoff berth in a fiercely competitive AFC.
The most significant changes occurred at the top, with the departures of both head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco. The organization moved swiftly to fill these crucial roles, securing the services of veteran head coach Pete Carroll and seasoned executive John Spytek as general manager.
Carroll, a proven winner with a Super Bowl title under his belt, brings a wealth of experience and a respected leadership style to the Raiders. His previous tenure as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks from 2010 to 2023 established him as one of the league’s most successful coaches. Known for his ability to develop players and foster a positive team culture, Carroll’s arrival is expected to bring stability and a clear direction to the Raiders’ sideline.
Spytek, on the other hand, arrives with a reputation as a shrewd evaluator of talent, honed during his time as assistant general manager for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His expertise in player acquisition and roster construction will be crucial in building a team capable of competing for championships.
Beyond the coaching and front office changes, the Raiders also made a pivotal move at the quarterback position. Seeking a more experienced and reliable signal-caller, they traded for Geno Smith, a player Carroll knows well from their time together in Seattle. The Raiders surrendered a third-round draft pick to acquire Smith, betting that his veteran presence and familiarity with Carroll’s system will provide a significant upgrade at quarterback.
The addition of Smith allows the Raiders to move forward with a quarterback who understands the complexities of the NFL game and can effectively manage the offense under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Kelly, known for his innovative offensive schemes and ability to maximize player potential, is tasked with revitalizing the Raiders’ attack and turning it into a more dynamic and productive unit.
However, the overhaul wasn’t limited to just coaching and the quarterback position. The Raiders experienced significant departures in free agency, losing several key starters, including cornerback Nate Hobbs, safety Trevon Moehrig, and linebackers Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo. These losses created holes in the Raiders’ defense that needed to be addressed through free agency and the NFL Draft.
To mitigate the impact of these departures, the Raiders were active in the free agent market, signing a number of players to bolster their roster. Running back Raheem Mostert, known for his explosive speed and versatility, was brought in to add another dimension to the Raiders’ running game. Safety Jeremy Chinn, a hard-hitting and versatile defensive back, was signed to solidify the secondary. Cornerback Eric Stokes, a former first-round pick, was added to improve the team’s pass coverage. Linebackers Devin White and Elandon Roberts were also brought in to fortify the Raiders’ front seven and provide much-needed experience and leadership.
The 2025 NFL Draft provided another opportunity for the Raiders to address their needs and add young talent to their roster. With a focus on improving the offensive side of the ball, the Raiders used their early picks to select several promising offensive prospects. In the first round, they selected running back Ashton Jeanty, considered by many to be the top running back in the draft. Jeanty’s combination of size, speed, and power is expected to make an immediate impact on the Raiders’ running game. In the second round, the Raiders added wide receiver Jack Bech, a versatile pass-catcher with the potential to become a key contributor in the passing game. The team also used their third-round picks to address the offensive line, selecting Charles Grant and Caleb Rogers, two promising offensive linemen with the potential to develop into starters. The team did also bolster the cornerback room with the selection of Darien Porter in the third round.
These changes, combined with the expected improvement from returning players, should result in a drastically different Raiders team in 2025. The coaching change, the addition of a veteran quarterback, the moves in free agency, and the selections in the NFL Draft all point to a concerted effort to improve the Raiders’ competitiveness in what is expected to be a very tough AFC West.
The schedule for the 2025 season is still highly anticipated, but the Raiders already know their opponents. They will face their AFC West rivals – the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and Denver Broncos – twice each, once at home and once on the road. Given that all three of these teams made the playoffs in 2024, the Raiders will face a tough test within their own division.
Because of the NFL’s rotating schedule, the Raiders will also face the entirety of both the AFC South and NFC East divisions. This means matchups against teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders.
Finally, because they finished last in their division in 2024, the Raiders will also face the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, and New York Giants, each of whom also finished last in their respective divisions.
The NFL is set to release the full 2025 schedule on Wednesday, May 14th. Fans can expect the full 18-week schedule to be released at once, typically around 8 p.m. ET, similar to the release time last year.
With a new coaching staff, a new quarterback, and a host of new players, the Las Vegas Raiders are hoping to turn the page on a disappointing 2024 season and compete for a playoff spot in 2025. The Raiders’ faithful eagerly await the schedule release to begin planning their season, hoping to witness a resurgent team under the leadership of Pete Carroll and John Spytek. The road ahead is challenging, but the Raiders have made significant changes in an effort to return to contention in the AFC.
