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The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to get back on track next season. The Raiders are looking to get back to their winning ways in 2025, and this offseason, they have taken the necessary steps in that direction. The first move was a huge one. And that was hiring head coach Pete Carroll to take over the team and finally get them the veteran leadership and stability, the Raiders have been searching for.
The Raiders then went on to hire a good general manager in John Spytek. Spytek brings experience as well even in his first role as a general manager. Carroll and Spytek were also able to get defensive coordinator Patrick Graham back in Las Vegas and on their staff.
This offseason there were a lot of teams interested in Graham as a possible head coach, but he came back to the Raiders, which was a huge move as well for Carroll in his first offseason with the team.
The coaching staff that the Raiders have put together this offseason has been great. It gives them veteran leadership in most position groups, and now they will not be under a new head coach who does not have success in getting things going for a franchise. Carroll, wherever he has gone, has been able to get that franchise going and will look to do the same with the Silver and Black.
Our Hondo Carpenter and Matt Hladik talked about the Raiders coaching staff on a recent episode of the "Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast."
"Talk about discipline, incomes Pete Carroll with a good coaching staff," said Carpenter. "They keep Patrick Graham, who was the superstar. Him and Robbie Leonard were the Superstars of the coaches on the staff. [Tom] McMahon too, special teams coordinator. You cannot leave him out, that guy is a stud."
"I do think that the most important positions are head coach and quarterback," said Hladik. "They made changes, and I believe they upgraded. So that is a major step in that direction. Of course you mentioned healthy. You have to stay healthy. You see how that plays out. But I do think Pete Carroll, obviously with the experience he brings and the winning pedigree he brings, will boost the discipline and boost kind of the organizational structure there."
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Matt LaFleur spills the beans on what the Packers really plan to do ahead of the NFL trade deadline
The Green Bay Packers don't tend to be the most active team ahead of trade deadlines. Since general manager Brian Gutekunst took over in 2018, he's never acquired a player in the week leading up to the deadline — on the other hand, he's sold Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Ty Montgomery, Rasul Douglas, and Preston Smith. However, Gutekunst did consider some trades — most notably, wide receiver Will Fuller back in 2020. Ultimately, the price requested by the Houston Texans wasn't right. This is mostly how the Packers will process things ahead of Tuesday's deadline. The roster is good enough The Packers already made two trades right before the season, acquiring Micah Parsons and Darian Kinnard. Asked about potential moves on Monday, head coach Matt LaFleur mentioned that the team doesn't need to add more players to be competitive, but the front office is making sure to evaluate opportunities. "I don't think so, not necessarily," LaFleur said about the need to add pieces. "I know Gutey and the rest of the guys upstairs are doing a great job of looking for things that could potentially help us, and if the right decision is there, I’ve got full confidence he’ll make it." Gutekunst and LaFleur have a close relationship, and the big roster decisions go through both of them, even though the GM has the final call. "We're in constant communication about everything," LaFleur added. While cornerback and defensive tackle were arguably the biggest needs on the roster, the tight end room also became thin with Tucker Kraft's season-ending knee injury. Right now, the only two TEs on the roster are Luke Musgrave and John FitzPatrick — Josh Whyle is on the practice squad and could be promoted or elevated. The trade deadline is at 3 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Don't expect big moves from the Packers, but something might happen — and as always, only if the price is right. This article was originally published on A to Z Sports Green Bay, as "Matt LaFleur spills the beans on what the Packers really plan to do ahead of the NFL trade deadline."
Titans Shopping Receiver That Would Be Perfect Fit For Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a great defensive game in Week 9 against the top-seeded Indianapolis Colts. While the offense barely had to do anything in that game, it's still obvious that there are still some issues with the unit. The group only had 225 yards of total offense, and all but one of the scoring drives came on ridiculously short fields. That is not sustainable at all. It worked in this case, but the collective still has to do everything it can to improve, which may result in General Manager Omar Khan getting involved. There are numerous options for the Steelers to get a wide receiver, but one name that has been circulating recently has been Calvin Ridley of the Tennessee Titans. Insider Mike Florio recently reported that he is being shopped around, and Justin Melo of TheDraftNetwork wrote about how he would be a great fit for Pittsburgh at this point. "Local reports indicate the Titans are listening. That makes sense," Melo said. "They're 1-8 and rebuilding around rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Ridley is on a bloated contract that makes him a potential offseason cap casualty. The Pittsburgh Steelers upset the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, ending a two-game skid. Ridley would be an outstanding fit in Arthur Smith's offense opposite D.K. Metcalf. There's a hole at WR2, and Aaron Rodgers is playing well enough to warrant a deal." At this stage of the season, there should be nothing stopping the Titans from blowing up their flawed core. They have been the epitome of Murphy's Law in recent years. Anything that could go wrong has gone wrong in Nashville. It seems like every decision the front office has made is the incorrect one, and that includes the massive contract that Ridley signed. Ridley is a very boom-or-bust option. He either has a great game or terrible one. In 2025, it has been more of the latter, but he has not even played since Week 6 due to a hamstring injury. He is projected to return for Week 10, but will he still be a Titan by that time? If the answer is yes, then it's because teams were turned off by his recent injury and his overpriced contract. At this point, Ridley is at his lowest value possible. Even if Tennessee eats a lot of his salary for 2025, it will be hard for them to get anything more than a late-round pick. He still has talent, but has not been a good fit with the Titans. It would not be surprising to see Khan give up almost nothing to bring in the former first-round pick to Pittsburgh to help give the offense a boost. Steelers' Probable Details Of Potential Trade The Steelers already dealt away a sixth-round pick in 2026 in the recent Kyle Dugger trade. The team could give up a different day three selection, and there is always the option to make a pick conditional in some way. Whether it's snaps, stats, or even if he's on the team in 2026, adding in some sort of condition could nudge the Titans to trade him away for practically nothing, as opposed to just cutting him at season's end and eating more dead cap. The Titans would have to eat a bunch of his salary in 2025 to make this deal work. Of course, they would have to take on his signing bonus proration, which means the only guarantees that the Steelers would have to worry about is his roster bonus and remaining guaranteed money in 2026. If Ridley does not perform well in Pittsburgh, they could easily cut him at just a $3.02 million dead cap hit. Either way, Ridley will not be a Titan for long, so trading him now for anything would be a win for Tennessee.
Three offseason trade targets for Blue Jays to add an impact bat
The Toronto Blue Jays and their fans are fresh off the most heartbreaking loss in franchise history. Putting the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers on the brink of elimination with two cracks to win the World Series at home, only to lose two nail-biters that each came down to the final out. It’s going to take a long time to get over it, if that’s even possible to do. However, they'll have to turn the page rather quickly because in just three days, the negotiating window for free agents expires, and all are free to sign wherever they so choose. Toronto will be busy in an attempt to retain the likes of star shortstop Bo Bichette and starting pitchers Shane Bieber, Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer. At the same time, the front office must be active in improving its roster from the outside, whether that’s via free agency or trade. While there are some intriguing names for the Blue Jays to target on the open market, given their needs, heading down the trade route could make the most sense. Here are three ideal trade targets for the Toronto Blue Jays to add an impactful left-handed bat to their lineup for 2025-26 and beyond: Oneil Cruz | Pittsburgh Pirates Cruz’s name popped up in trade rumors ahead of the deadline in August, and it’s fair to wonder if he still could be available if Pittsburgh gets the right offer. The 27-year-old has all of the tools to be one of the best hitters in baseball, standing at 6-foot-7, 240 pounds with extreme power and bat speed. His numbers last season (20 HRs, 61 RBI), while solid, didn't reflect his talent, but it's understandable given the lack of protection around him on the Pirates. In Toronto, Cruz could slot in behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bichette, immediately becoming the most dangerous left-handed hitter in a right-heavy lineup. Matt Wallner | Minnesota Twins The 39th overall pick back in 2019 may not publicly be on the trade block, but after its sell-off at the deadline, it doesn’t feel like anyone is untouchable in Minnesota. Like Cruz, Wallner, at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, has big-time power, and the Blue Jays saw that firsthand when he crushed three HRs and six RBI during their three-game series in Toronto in late August. He does have some swing and miss in his bat (.231 career average), but with how often the top of the Blue Jays lineup gets on base, all it takes is one swing for Wallner to put up a crooked number on the scoreboard. Jarren Duran | Boston Red Sox The 2024 All-Star Game MVP has been in constant trade discussions for over a year now, and it feels inevitable that he gets dealt out of Boston this winter. Duran had more of an up-and-down 2025 campaign, though he's displayed the ability to drive in runs (84 RBI) and has power with even more untapped potential. Combine that with his speed and athleticism, and you can see why so many teams would love to acquire him. Trading within the division is never easy, but the 29-year-old would be a perfect fit in the middle of Toronto's lineup, so it's something they should absolutely look into.
Bears survey trade market after losing Dayo Odeyingbo for the year
It's likely to be costly but the Bears must pay the price now at defensive end with the season-ending loss of edge starter Dayo Odeyingbo to a torn Achilles. The free agent acquisition can look forward to a tough rehab from an injury that frequently takes up to a year to get past. Austin Booker will get to play most of the snaps at that position now. Without Odeyingbo and with Shemar Turner out for the year, they're without two edge but also Dominique Robinson has a high ankle sprain. "I thought Book played a nice game yesterday," coach Ben Johnson said. "I was very pleased to see that for his first game back. So no (not worried), I do have a lot of confidence there. Hopefully we’ll get Dom Robinson back too. He was doing some nice things there early in the season as well. We’ve got some depth. You can never have too many pass rusher. "You can never have too many cover players on the back end either. That’s how I have always felt since I’ve been in this league.” Actually, they don't have depth now, at least not proven edge players but he's right about the need always for players at that position. So the trade market beckons for GM Ryan Poles by Tuesday at 3 p.m. "I know Ryan and his crew have been doing their due diligence all throughout the fall, all the way up until tomorrow to make sure we’re turning over every stone to make sure if there’s a way that we can improve this roster, we’ll do that," Johnson said. "But I feel good about the guys we have on the roster currently." Trading now will be a case of biting the bullet and doing what they must. The attitude by Poles has always been to preserve his draft picks, but he didn't mind giving up a future fourth-round pick to draft Booker. So giving up as much as a second or third shouldn't hurt too much. "Those are always great questions. Ryan and I have a constant dialogue on players that might be available," Johnson said. "We talk nonstop about this and we've been doing it for a while now. He's doing, like I said, his due diligence to making sure that we look at everyone that could be available and that could help this football team in the here and the now, and also have in the back of our head what the ramifications of that also are (long term), the consequences when you give up capital, whether it's players or draft picks, what that does to your roster in the long-term. "It is a balancing act, but it's one that I think we have a really good process and a lot of communication on." The Bears missed on a chance for Jaelan Phillips, the Miami edge rusher. He was acquired in a trade by the Eagles from Miami earlier Monday. There had been reports the Bears had interest in him. It cost th Eagles a third-round pick. Because Odeyingbo was a more stout player who fit the Dennis Allen defensive scheme as a run stopper/edge rusher, it wouldn't be a surprise if they were looking for someone in the plus-260 range for weight. Booker isn't that type of player, and is only in his second year. He just became active Sunday after a knee injury in preseason landed him on IR. Booker had a strip-sack in the game. Pro Football Focus gave Booker the highest grade of any Bears player for pass rush on Sunday, an 85.8 for pass rush for 31 snaps. Gervon Dexter recovered the fumble caused by Booker on the sack of Joe Flacco and it led to a field goal. Booker has 2 1/2 career sacks and seven pressures according to Stathead/Pro Football Reference. Players actually on the trade market could include Cincinnati's Trey Hendrickson, Miami's Bradley Chubb, New Orleans' Carl Granderson and Cam Jordan. Both Granderson and Jordan played against the Bears last month and played a huge chunk of their careers for Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Speculation the Giants would trade Kayvon Thibodeaux appears unfounded. Dianna Russini reported the Giants have told teams they want a first-round pick in exchange. That would have been interesting for the Bears and especially the Giants since they play each other this week. Cleveland's Myles Garrett has repeatedly demanded a trade but the Browns are resistant to that. Besides, his salary would take the Bears far over the cap and would require cutting someone or restructuring several contracts if it's even possible. The Raiders have also said they are not trading Maxx Crosby, but their season is slipping away now after yet another tight loss and perhaps they would listen to requests. The problem the Bears have for trading at this point in the season and with few edges on their roster is 1) the competition and 2) their own desperation. Whoever has a qualified edge is going to demand the highest compensation in a trade for draft picks. The Lions, 49rs, Cowboys and several other teams could be seeking an edge besides the Bears. The Bears have $7.88 million available in cap space now according to Overthecap.com.
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