ESPN Hyping Up The Raiders Amid Epoch-Making Offseason

Every year we have different publications either buying into or generating hype for the Las Vegas Raiders. However, 2025 might prove to be the outlier and thankfully so, as I’m not sure how much more losing Raider Nation can take.

This side of the disastrous Super Bowl run more than generation ago, Raiders fans have become accustomed to regular changes in leadership. At this point, it’s a “who’s who” of names; some more popular than others. Most recently, Raiders ownership, now made up of Mark Davis and Tom Brady, opted to bring in men that have proven their worth. General manager John Spytek helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers orchestrate an impressive run (while Brady was the quarterback). Pete Carroll, the man who made the Seattle Seahawks matter, has been tasked with building a winning culture in Sin City.

Things look good on paper…

Under their guidance these past few months, the Raiders appear on paper poised for a turnaround. Let’s make one thing clear, we’re not talking about Super Bowl aspirations. This team has to first prove it can have a winning season first (only three of those since 2002, by the way) and then maintain that momentum.

So, how do you get to the aforementioned point? You do that by nailing your draft picks that go beyond the first two rounds. Oh, and most importantly, given the current NFL landscape, you get a quarterback. Though it’s far too early to call it on the first part, the latter certainly inspires hope. Geno Smith, a man highly familiar with Carroll’s coaching and philosophy, is arguably the best signal-caller that the Raiders have had since firing Derek Carr. The bar isn’t too high for Smith, but that bodes well for the man. The offense just has to protect the ball and establish the run with Ashton Jeanty. Simple enough.

ESPN sees something in these Raiders too?

ESPN’s Ben Solak also sees things similarly; the perceived upgrades at quarterback and in the coaching sidelines should be enough to get the Raiders a winning record. Or, worst case scenario as Solak mentions, the Raiders can at least break even. When you considering the absolute gauntlet that the AFC West has become, that wouldn’t be the most bleak outcome.

“No team made bigger strides at the two most important positions than the Raiders. Geno Smith is multiple tiers better than Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, which should provide weekly above-average quarterback play. Pete Carroll is multiple tiers better at head coach than Antonio Pierce, who struggled with in-game and locker room management. I expect the Raiders to be around .500 this season, so long as they endure the defensive departures.”

The moves surrounding Smith and Carroll aside, the roster did see some significant changes. That’s especially true for Patrick Graham’s defense. While Graham was retained this offseason, it’s obvious that Carroll’s imprint is going to be felt on this unit. Rebuilding a defense is going to take more than one offseason. Still, many of the pieces are already there, namely on the defensive line spearheaded by Maxx Crosby.

Whether you agree with the moves this offseason or not, one cannot deny that Spytek and Co. have made it known this team is done being a doormat. This is going to be a competitive (and competent) group, maybe Solak and ESPN are actually right on this one.