🏈 Las Vegas Raiders 2025 Season Preview: A Rebuild with Potential

The Las Vegas Raiders enter 2025 in full rebuild mode, bringing in Pete Carroll to reset the culture and create a foundation for long-term success. With major upgrades on offense but a defense still in question, this season will be a test of growth rather than a playoff push.

🧢 Coaching & Leadership

• Pete Carroll (Head Coach): Brings decades of NFL success, defensive expertise, and leadership.

• John Spytek (Defensive Coordinator): Implements a culture of competition and cohesion, earning praise from LB Brennan Jackson.

• Maxx Crosby (DE): Defensive leader and emotional heartbeat of the team, key to setting the tone for the rebuild.

🚀 Offensive Upgrades & Key Players

The Raiders have invested heavily in retooling their offense:

• QB Geno Smith: Among the league’s most accurate passers, benefiting from 12 dome games this season.

• RB Ashton Jeanty: The 6th overall pick is expected to rejuvenate the ground game with speed, power, and versatility.

• WR Dont’e Thornton Jr.: A rookie deep threat who adds explosive playmaking to complement:

  • Jakobi Meyers – Reliable possession receiver.

  • Brock Bowers (TE): Dynamic mismatch weapon for OC Chip Kelly’s up-tempo scheme.

• Offensive Line: Improved depth should help Smith thrive in a fast-paced attack.

🛡️ Defensive Concerns

• Secondary Struggles: Widely ranked as one of the league’s weakest units, vulnerable against elite QBs.

• Linebacker Depth Issues: Athleticism and coverage ability are question marks.

• Pass Rush Reliance: Heavy dependence on Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce staying healthy to generate pressure.

📅 Brutal Schedule Challenges

• Raiders face one of the NFL’s toughest schedules, including:

  • Multiple short-rest games and opponents coming off mini-byes.

  • Extensive travel and prime-time scheduling quirks.

  • 15 of 17 games indoors, a plus for the passing game.

• Net rest deficit is the worst in the league, putting added strain on a young roster.

🔮 Predictions & Betting Outlook

• Projected Wins: ~6.5 (4th in AFC West).

• Playoff Chances: Low, but potential to outperform expectations if the defense takes a step forward.

• Offensive Ceiling: Could surprise with a top-15 passing game behind Geno Smith, Jeanty, and Bowers.

• Biggest Question: Can Pete Carroll elevate the defense enough to stay competitive?

🏆 Season Summary

The Las Vegas Raiders are building for the future.

• The offense is younger, faster, and more explosive, with Jeanty offering immediate star potential.

• Defense remains the Achilles’ heel, but Carroll’s leadership could speed up development.

• With one of the toughest schedules in football, success will be measured by growth, culture change, and development rather than win totals.

📌 Bottom Line: Raiders fans should expect growing pains, exciting flashes on offense, and a long-term plan to make Las Vegas a playoff contender again.