The Las Vegas Raiders are not wasting any time in strengthening their roster.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Raiders are signing former Cincinnati Bengals guard Alex Cappa to a two-year, $11 million contract.
The #Raiders are jumping into free agency early, signing former #Bengals OL Alex Cappa, source says. Some OL depth. pic.twitter.com/8w3vSuivyv
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2025
While most free agents cannot sign contracts until the new league year begins on March 12, Cappa is eligible to be signed due to his status as a cap casualty.
It never hurts to have depth on the offensive line, and Cappa certainly provides that for the Raiders.
The Raiders had Jackson Powers-Johnson, Dylan Parham and Jordan Meredith all taking snaps at offensive guard last season. All three are under contract for 2025, but Powers-Johnson shifted to center mid-season and looks to remain in that role. Cappa slides in as offseason competition with Parham and Meredith, offering a veteran option if one of the younger players falter.
Another thing to note is that Cappa was a former teammate of Raiders minority owner Tom Brady with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A third-round pick of the Buccaneers in 2018, Cappa started for three years before signing with the Bengals in 2022. He started for three seasons in Cincinnati as well, including helping take the Bengals to the AFC Championship game in 2022 as their most consistent offensive lineman. Unfortunately, an injury during the playoffs hindered his development, prompting his release this offseason.
The Raiders now hope a change in scenery helps Cappa regain his form, giving the Raiders another option to get stronger in the trenches.
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