If you walked into Allegiant Stadium on a Sunday last October, you might’ve felt like you were in a time machine. But not the cool kind. It felt like the early 2000s again, and not in a nostalgic "Bring back the Black Hole" way. It was the "Oh no, we’re actually the worst team in football" way.
The Las Vegas Raiders just wrapped up a 2025 season that was, to put it bluntly, a total train wreck.
Three wins. Fourteen losses. A head coach fired before the seat even got warm. It’s been a rough ride for a franchise that was supposed to be the crown jewel of the desert. Now, as we sit in January 2026, the team is staring down the barrel of the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. It’s the first time they’ve been in this spot since 2007. And we all remember how that went (sorry, JaMarcus).
The Pete Carroll Experiment That Flunked
Everyone thought hiring Pete Carroll was a masterstroke. He was the "vibes" guy. The energy. After the Antonio Pierce era ended in a flurry of mid-season firings, owner Mark Davis wanted a winner. He wanted a culture.
It lasted exactly one season.
The Raiders went 3-14 in 2025. It wasn't just that they lost; it was how they lost. They were boring. The offense was stuck in the mud, finishing dead last in the league in scoring. Chip Kelly was brought in as offensive coordinator to "innovate," but honestly, it looked like he was reading a playbook from 2013. Kelly didn't even make it through the year—he was shown the door after Week 12.
When you look at the stats, it’s a miracle they won three games. Geno Smith, who they traded a third-rounder for, looked completely shell-shocked. He led the league in interceptions and took 55 sacks. To be fair, the offensive line was basically a revolving door, but Smith’s decision-making didn't help. By the time Carroll was fired on January 5, 2026, the fan base wasn't even angry anymore. They were just... tired.
Why the No. 1 Pick Changes Everything
For the first time in nearly twenty years, the Las Vegas Raiders hold the keys to the kingdom. They clinched the #1 overall pick for the 2026 NFL Draft after a weirdly satisfying 14-12 win over the Chiefs in the season finale.
The name on everyone’s lips? Fernando Mendoza.
If you haven’t followed college ball lately, Mendoza is a god in Indiana right now. He led the Hoosiers to a 15-0 record and a Heisman Trophy. He’s got the size, the arm, and the "it" factor that the Raiders have lacked since, well, maybe Ken Stabler?
"Are there two more important hires in an organization than a quarterback and a head coach?"
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That’s what GM John Spytek asked during his end-of-season presser. He’s right. This isn’t just about a draft pick; it’s about a total organizational reset.
There’s a camp of fans who think the team should trade down. They argue the roster is so depleted that one rookie QB will just get "David Carr'd"—meaning he'll get hit so many times he develops permanent "happy feet." But let’s be real. When you have the chance to grab a guy who threw 41 touchdowns and completed 73% of his passes, you don't overthink it. You take the kid.
The Tom Brady Factor
It’s still kinda weird to see Tom Brady in the Raiders' facility without a helmet on. As a minority owner, he’s been heavily involved in the search for the next head coach.
The "Brady Effect" is real, but so far, it hasn't translated to wins. He and John Spytek (who Brady knows from his Tampa days) are currently interviewing everyone under the sun. We’re talking about:
- Ejiro Evero: The Panthers DC who just got a second in-person interview.
- Klint Kubiak: The guy who turned Seattle’s offense into a juggernaut.
- Mike McDaniel: Yes, the former Dolphins coach. He’s reportedly interviewing in South Florida while the team scouts Mendoza.
The search is high-stakes. The Raiders have had six coaches since moving to Vegas in 2020. That is an insane level of turnover. You can’t build a house if you’re changing the architect every six months.
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Allegiant Stadium: The Gold Mine in the Desert
While the football has been mediocre, the business side of the Las Vegas Raiders is booming. Allegiant Stadium was recently named the highest-grossing stadium in the U.S. It brought in over $281 million in gross revenue last year alone.
It’s the "Death Star" for a reason.
Between Taylor Swift-level concerts, WrestleMania 41, and Google buyouts, the stadium is a cash cow. But there’s a growing disconnect. While tourists are flocking to see the stadium, the "home-field advantage" is disappearing. In games against teams like the Broncos or Steelers, the crowd is often a 50-50 split.
The local fans are starting to feel priced out or just plain disinterested. If the Raiders don't start winning, they risk becoming a high-end tourist attraction rather than a community institution.
What Really Matters for the 2026 Season
The plan is simple but incredibly hard to execute.
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First, they have to land the right coach. Someone who can actually develop a young QB. Second, they have to fix the offensive line. Maxx Crosby and Brock Bowers are elite, world-class talents, but they are being wasted right now. Crosby is still a maniac on the edge, and Bowers is arguably the best tight end in the league not named Kelce. But you can't win with two guys.
There are also wild rumors about a Lamar Jackson trade. Baltimore might be looking for a fresh start, and the Raiders have $90 million in cap space. Could they trade the #1 pick for a two-time MVP? It sounds like a Madden move, but in Vegas, you never bet against the "splash."
How to Follow the Raiders Rebuild
If you're looking to keep tabs on what's happening with the Silver and Black this offseason, don't just look at the scoreboards.
- Watch the "Future/Reserve" Signings: These are the guys who fill out the bottom of the roster. They tell you if the new regime cares about depth or just "names."
- Monitor the Senior Bowl and Combine: Specifically, watch how the Raiders' scouts interact with Fernando Mendoza and the top-tier tackles.
- Track the Coaching Staff: It’s not just about the Head Coach. Who is the Offensive Line coach? After the "nepotism" issues with the Carroll staff, this hire will be scrutinized heavily by the players.
The 2025 season was a disaster. There’s no sugar-coating it. But in the NFL, the bottom of the barrel is often the best place to start a climb. With a mountain of cash and the first pick in the draft, the Las Vegas Raiders have every tool they need to stop being a punchline. Now, they just have to not mess it up.