The Raiders acquired defensive tackle Jerry Tillery via waivers earlier in the season, and his stay in Vegas will be continuing. The two sides have agreed to terms on a new deal, as first reported by The Score’s Jordan Schultz.
The former first-rounder had a generally underwhelming tenure with the Chargers to begin his career. Following his college career, Tillery entered the league with significant expectations as a pass rusher in particular. He managed just 10.5 sacks across 54 games in Los Angeles, however, and his time in California officially came to an end when he was waived in November.
Upon his arrival in Vegas, the Notre Dame product saw a slight uptick in usage. His snap share jumped to 49%, an increase compared to his playing time in 2022 with the Chargers, but a far cry from the full-time starting role he occupied in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In eight games as a Raider, Tillery totaled 10 tackles and was held without a sack.
Those figures point to a rotational role remaining the ideal one for the 26-year-old, which represents a disappointment relative to his high draft stock. Tillery drew considerable interest on the waiver wire, which suggests he could have fostered at least a modest market for himself as a free agent.
Instead, he will opt for stability and seek to help the Raiders take a necessary step forward on the defensive front.
Vegas struggled in a number of defensive categories in 2022, though their run defense was middle-of-the-road. Given his skillset, Tillery is unlikely to make much of an impact in that regard, but realizing his potential as a disruptive presence in terms of interior rushing would help not only the Raiders but also set him up for a more promising financial future down the road.
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