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A veteran-rookie quarterback duo, a rebuilt defense and a brand new head coach are some of the offseason additions the Las Vegas Raiders hope will provide a comeback year.
For FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd, he sees the Raiders’ new additions as the right moves heading into the 2026 season, especially after their most recent 3-14 finish under former head coach Pete Carroll.
“One of the reasons I’m a fan of Fernando Mendoza and the Raiders is that the Raiders are the rare bad organization in a decade that finally got their coach and their GM at the same time, right, they both got it right. I actually think they had a great draft and a great offseason,” Cowherd said on Thursday’s edition of “The Herd.”
After trading former Raiders quarterback Geno Smith to the Jets, the Raiders filled his spot with another veteran — quarterback Kirk Cousins – to compliment their No. 1 overall pick in quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Cousins was signed by the Raiders after his two-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons. In addition, the Raiders drafted running back Mike Washington Jr. and wide receiver Malik Benson, and added wide receiver Jalen Nailors and Cousins in free agency.
While the Raiders added stars on offense, their defensive overhaul to help compliment star defensive end Maxx Crosby was just as impressive. Las Vegas drafted safety Treydan Stukes, edge Keyron Crawford, cornerback Jermod McCoy, safety Dalton Johnston, cornerback Hezekiah Masses and defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland. In free agency, the Raiders added defensive end Kwity Paye and linebacker Nakobe Dean.
Cowherd didn’t hesitate to praise the Raiders for their talent at head coach and quarterback, but cautions about what new signing quarterbacks can bring to the table.
“I don’t think (the Raiders) want Baker Mayfield to go to Cleveland. I liked the coach and the quarterback, but I didn’t like the opening roster. Where you get into trouble with rookie quarterbacks who are highly regarded is when you see them as saviors. . . . Usually, teams that have been in last place for years feel desperate.”
Especially when adding a new rookie-veteran pairing to the quarterback room, the question is who will take the reins as the Raiders starting quarterback in a bounce-back season.
The Raiders open the 2026 season by hosting the Miami Dolphins on September 13.
