The Las Vegas Raiders could have a seriously productive offseason (Image: Getty)
The Las Vegas Raiders have their work cut out for them this offseason, with beginning his first full season with the team and the NFL Draft on its way. With a record of 4-13 and no playoffs for the third consecutive year, Raiders fans will be hoping for some big changes ahead of the 2025 season.
NFL legend Brady acquired a 5% stake in the Raiders last year, meaning that he will be involved somewhat in the decisions going on in the background, both before the free agency window opens and by the time the Draft begins. Las Vegas’ poor record in 2024 has also set them up well for the Draft this year, with the sixth overall pick and nine more selections across the seven rounds.
There are plenty of talented acquisitions in the Draft this year, as well as some experienced veterans heading to the free agency market in March. So, what will the Raiders do to make a change and regain some form in the ? Here, we have detailed all the ways the 2025 offseason could go perfectly for Las Vegas, including a FOX Sports snub and a bit of luck in the Draft.
Tom Brady snubs FOX for Las Vegas
Brady made headlines in October 2024 by acquiring a 5% stake in the Raiders, and main owner Mark Davis is adamant he is the missing piece in their puzzle. Speaking to reporters at the time, Davis said: “Bringing in Tom Brady was bringing in somebody on the football side that I had been lacking having here in the organization… We want to build something here and again, that’s been the process and that mindset all along.
“Like I said, it got offset or kind of blown up when Jon Gruden was sent away and so we’ve been trying to get it right since then and we’ll see, but I’ve got patience to get it right, and I think we’ve got the people now — again I’ve always felt that — results are what speak to me and that’s what we’ll see.”
However, Brady’s influence in Las Vegas is restricted thanks to his multi-million dollar contract with FOX Sports. The ex-New England Patriots star signed a 10-year deal with the network in 2024, worth an astonishing £296million ($375m).
Could Tom Brady give up FOX for a more committed role with the Raiders? (Image: Getty)
He has been an impressive addition to the FOX NFL Sunday team in 2024, analysing and commentating on many games throughout the season – including Super Bowl LIX. However, Brady could snub this deal altogether if he wants to make sure he has some influence in the Raiders roster.
At the moment, Brady cannot attend in-person or virtual TV production meetings with the network, but he can still call Raiders games – adding to a somewhat awkward atmosphere in the studio. He also isn’t allowed to publicly criticise officials or teams, which restricts him even further on FOX NFL Sunday.
But should he quit his broadcasting job with FOX, he will be able to focus his full attention on the Raiders, and impart some of his wide footballing knowledge onto a struggling side that are desperate for success. However, that does admittedly look unlikely after Brady and his agent, Don Yee, expressed the former quarterback’s commitment to sports broadcasting and FOX for the foreseeable future.
Securing No.1 quarterback pick in NFL Draft
The Raiders have some exciting opportunities in the NFL Draft this year, with 10 selections available – including the sixth overall pick in the first round. Las Vegas also have one pick in the second, fourth, fifth and seventh rounds, with two picks in the third round and three selections in the sixth round too.
The one pick that matters, however, is the sixth one – as this is where the Raiders can acquire their new franchise quarterback. Their main prospect is Miami Hurricanes star Cam Ward, who has been in impressive form during his college football career.
The quarterback posted a 10-3 record in 2024, and was voted the best athlete in his position too – so his potential in Las Vegas could be unlimited if they secure his services. While there are five teams ahead of the Raiders in the Draft, there are other hot prospects reported to go in the first few picks, such as Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and Jalon Walker.
So if Ward lasts until the sixth pick, the Raiders will be able to secure his signature on their team – and who wouldn’t want to get some training from one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Brady?
Cam Ward could be the Raiders’ next big thing (Image: Getty)
Free agency hidden gems
Another place that the Raiders can offload and secure talent is the free agency market – which is where 28 current players will be headed in 2025 unless they are signed to new contracts. The bosses in Las Vegas will have to work overtime to secure some of their stars, as well as adding a couple of experienced athletes to their roster before the Draft even begins.
One such player that the AFC West team will be desperate to keep is linebacker Robert Spillane, who was the Raiders’ top tackler in 2024 – with 158 in total. The 29-year-old has spent two years in Las Vegas, after being drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2018 and also playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Losing an athlete with his talent won’t be in the Raiders’ best interests.
Ameer Abdullah could be another pending free agent that the Raiders may choose to keep around, despite being 31 years old. The running back had the second most rushing yards amongst the team last year – 311 – and averages 4.6 yards per carry.
While his age may be a factor in why the Raiders could get rid of him, keeping the experience that Abdullah has for another year wouldn’t hurt the team’s chances in any way – and could also help in training up the potential rookies coming in the door.
Could Amari Cooper return to Las Vegas? (Image: Getty)
In terms of signing free agents, the Raiders will need some new offensive weapons for their potential rookie quarterback to throw to. One veteran wide receiver that is set to be released is Buffalo Bills star Amari Cooper, who has had six 1,000+ receiving yard seasons since he was drafted in 2015.
Cooper, who was drafted by the Raiders using their fourth overall pick at the time, has been on a journey through the NFL with five Pro Bowl appearances in nine seasons. While he has had some up-and-down years, recording just 297 yards with the Bills in 2024, heading back to Las Vegas may be just what the 30-year-old needs to recharge his career out wide.
The Raiders will also need some protection for their new quarterback in 2025, with injuries stifling the potential for there to be a lot of time in the pocket for the QB. Two offensive lineman that could be a perfect fit for Las Vegas include Ronnie Stanley of the Baltimore Ravens and Trey Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs.
According to Over the Cap, the Raiders have £78m ($99m) worth of cap space, so they have the funds required to sign some stars to their roster. Stanley shined in Baltimore as Lamar Jackson’s blind-side protector, and despite being 31 years old, there is definitely some life in the veteran yet.
Smith has been an amazing addition to the Chiefs, joining the team in 2021 and winning two Super Bowls in his first three years in the league. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie team in 2021, and has been an incredible guard for Patrick Mahomes – giving up zero sacks in Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, fellow lineman Creed Humphrey recently signed a four-year contract extension worth £56m ($72m) with the Chiefs, keeping him until 2028. This could mean that Smith may be on his way out of the door in free agency – and he could head straight to their division rivals by joining the Raiders.
Overall, there is plenty of potential in the offseason for the Raiders, and they can only hope that the chips fall their way throughout 2025 in order to bring success back to Las Vegas.