2025 NFL Season Preview - Las Vegas Raiders
Football

2025 NFL Season Preview – Las Vegas Raiders

August 8, 2025
Devon Gallant

Raiders 2025 Season Outlook

Welcome back to our 2025 NFL Team Preview Series, where we’ll dive deep into all 32 franchises ahead of the upcoming season. Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a fantasy football manager, or just looking to get up to speed before kickoff, this series breaks down everything you need to know about each team’s trajectory.

For every team, we’ll cover:

  • Coaching Staff & Philosophy – Who’s leading the charge, and what kind of system are they running?
  • Offseason Recap – Key free-agent moves, trades, and draft picks that reshaped the roster.
  • Schedule Breakdown – Matchups to watch, tough stretches, and projected win-loss record.

From Super Bowl contenders to rebuilding rosters, we’ll assess where each team stands and what lies ahead in 2025.

Las Vegas Raiders

Coaching Staff & Philosophy: A New Era with Championship Pedigree

After many failed attempts to find a semi-capable head coach, the Las Vegas Raiders have entered another new era with the hiring of a veteran, Super Bowl-winning coach and a new-look offensive staff. Pete Carroll was brought in as the Head Coach following the 2024 season, adding his well-regarded leadership and defensive philosophy to the organization. This marks a significant shift from the previous regime of Antonio Pierce, providing the team with a defined and stable vision.

Carroll has brought in a new Offensive Coordinator in Chip Kelly, a coach known for his fast-paced, high-volume offence. Kelly’s scheme will emphasize tempo, smart quarterback play, and utilize dynamic skill-position players. On the defensive side, Patrick Graham was retained as the Defensive Coordinator, a move that provides continuity for a unit that showed improvement under his guidance. The blend of Carroll’s defensive principles and Graham’s scheme will look to build on the Raiders’ aggressive identity.

The rest of the staff includes familiar names from Carroll’s past, such as his sons Brennan Carroll (Run Game Coordinator) and Nate Carroll (Assistant Quarterbacks), creating a cohesive unit aligned with the new head coach’s vision.

2025 Offseason Recap: Re-tooling the Roster with Big Swings

The Raiders’ 2025 offseason was characterized by a clear strategy to upgrade key positions and establish a new foundation for the future under their new coaching staff.

Key Additions & Extensions: The Raiders were aggressive in both the trade and free-agent markets, making moves that immediately shaped both their offence and defence.

  • Geno Smith (QB): The most significant move of the offseason was acquiring quarterback Geno Smith in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. Smith, who then signed a two-year, $85.5 million extension, provides the Raiders with a stable, veteran presence under centre and a significant upgrade at the most important position on the field.
  • Maxx Crosby (DE): The cornerstone of the defence, Crosby, was locked up with a three-year, $106.5 million extension, keeping the heart and soul of the team in Las Vegas.
  • Jeremy Chinn (S): Signed a two-year, $16 million deal, Chinn brings versatility and athleticism to the secondary.
  • Alex Cappa (OG): The veteran guard signed a two-year, $11 million contract, fortifying the interior of the offensive line.
  • Devin White (LB) & Germaine Pratt (LB): The Raiders’ linebacking corps was completely overhauled with the signings of White and Pratt. These two veterans bring speed, pass-rushing ability, and experience to a unit that needed a boost.
  • Jamal Adams (S): Another acquisition from the Seahawks, Adams reunites with Pete Carroll and provides an aggressive, box-safety presence.
  • Malcolm Koonce (DE): Re-signed on a one-year deal, Koonce will provide pass-rushing depth.
  • Raheem Mostert (RB): The veteran running back signed a one-year, $2.1 million deal, adding a speedy, change-of-pace option.

Notable Departures:

  • Tre’von Moehrig (S): Signed a new deal with the Carolina Panthers.
  • Nate Hobbs (CB): Signed with the Green Bay Packers.
  • Robert Spillane (LB) & Divine Deablo (LB): Both linebackers departed, with Spillane signing with the Patriots and Deablo with the Falcons.
  • Christian Wilkins (DT): Was released on July 24, 2025, a significant loss to the defensive line, due to his handling of a foot injury.
  • Marcus Epps (S): Signed with the New England Patriots.

Offseason Summary: While the trade for Geno Smith fundamentally reshaped the offence, the Raiders’ free agency strategy was most notable for its focus on defence. The team brought in a host of veteran defenders like Jeremy Chinn, Devin White, Germaine Pratt, and Jamal Adams. These players, while capable and experienced, are by and large unspectacular, signing short-term, team-friendly deals. This approach wasn’t about acquiring blue-chip talent that would immediately transform what was one of the league’s worst units, but rather about bringing in reliable, no-nonsense players who fit Pete Carroll’s vision. These moves were the first step in Carroll’s cultural overhaul, prioritizing veteran leadership and competition over big-money, long-term investments. The new staff is looking for players who can execute their scheme and embody their new brand of football.

2025 NFL Draft Class: A Bold Bet on Offence

The Las Vegas Raiders, holding a top-10 pick for the first time in a while, used their draft capital to add immediate playmakers to their offence.

Here’s the full list of the Las Vegas Raiders’ 2025 NFL Draft picks:

  • Round 1, Pick 6:Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
    • Analysis: The Raiders made a major statement by selecting the nation’s most productive running back. Jeanty is a three-down back with elite vision, power, and pass-catching skills. His selection indicates a commitment to a run-heavy, physical identity under the new coaching staff and makes him a strong candidate to win rookie of the year this season.
  • Round 2, Pick 58:Jack Bech, WR, TCU
    • Analysis: A versatile receiver with excellent hands, Bech adds another tool to the Raiders’ passing attack. He can play both in the slot and on the outside, providing a reliable target for Geno Smith.
  • Round 3, Pick 68:Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
    • Analysis: The Raiders addressed a major need in the secondary with Porter. He brings length, speed, and ball-hawking skills to a cornerback group that lost Nate Hobbs in free agency.
  • Round 4, Pick 108:Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR, Tennessee
    • Analysis: A big-bodied receiver with elite speed for his size, Thornton Jr. provides a vertical threat and a potential matchup nightmare.
  • Round 4, Pick 135:Tonka Hemingway, DT, South Carolina
    • Analysis: With the unexpected departure of Christian Wilkins, Hemingway provides an interior pass-rush presence and may become an immediate rotational piece on the defensive line.
  • Round 6, Pick 213 & 215:Tommy Mellott (QB, Montana State) and Cam Miller (QB, NDSU)
    • Analysis: The Raiders doubled up on quarterbacks in the late rounds, signaling a strategy to find potential developmental projects for the future.

Key Draft Storyline: Carroll’s Offensive Vision Takes Shape 

The Raiders’ 2025 draft was a masterclass in building an offence in a new head coach’s image, highlighted by the pairing of veteran quarterback Geno Smith with a new franchise running back. Pete Carroll’s offensive philosophy, often rooted in a physical run game that sets up a dynamic passing attack, was on full display with the selection of Ashton Jeanty. By using their first-round pick on a three-down running back with elite vision and receiving skills, the Raiders are signalling a commitment to a punishing offensive identity that can control the clock and wear down opponents. Pairing him with Brock Bowers on offence gives Smith weapons that most quarterbacks in the league would envy.

This run-first approach is designed to take pressure off Geno Smith, allowing him to operate in favourable down-and-distance situations. The subsequent selections of wide receivers Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. further reinforce this strategy. Bech provides a reliable target for Smith on key third downs, while Thornton Jr.’s elite speed gives the offence a vertical element that can open up the field. This draft was a clear, coordinated effort to surround their new quarterback with the players needed to execute a specific offensive system. It wasn’t just about acquiring talent, but about acquiring talent that elevates the entire unit and reflects the foundation of a Pete Carroll-led team.

2025 Schedule Breakdown & Win-Loss Prediction

  • Weeks 1-4: The Early Gauntlet
    • Week 1: at New England Patriots
    • Week 2: vs. Los Angeles Chargers (MNF)
    • Week 3: at Washington Commanders
    • Week 4: at Chicago Bears

Outlook: This is a tough start for a new regime. The first four weeks will be a significant test of the team’s ability to gel on the road and handle a mix of young, hungry opponents.

Prediction: 2-2

  • Weeks 5-8: Mid-Season Reprive
    • Week 5: vs. Indianapolis Colts
    • Week 6: at Tennessee Titans
    • Week 7: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
    • Week 8: BYE

Outlook: This stretch includes the Raiders’ biggest rivalry game and provides a perfect opportunity for the new offence to showcase its identity before a well-timed bye week.

Prediction: 2-1 (Overall: 4-3)

  • Weeks 9-13: Post-Bye Push
    • Week 9: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
    • Week 10: at Denver Broncos (TNF)
    • Week 11: vs. Dallas Cowboys (MNF)
    • Week 12: at Cleveland Browns 
    • Week 13: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Outlook: The post-bye stretch is brutal, featuring multiple playoff-caliber opponents. This is where the Raiders’ playoff hopes will likely be made or broken.

Prediction: 1-4 (Overall: 5-7)

  • Weeks 14-18: The Final Stretch
    • Week 14: at Los Angeles Chargers
    • Week 15: vs. Denver Broncos
    • Week 16: at Houston Texans
    • Week 17: vs. New York Giants
    • Week 18: at Kansas City Chiefs

Outlook: The end of the season is loaded with divisional games and AFC battles that will decide playoff seeding, but the Raiders will likely only be playing spoiler at this point.

Prediction: 2-3

Final Record Prediction: 7-10

The Las Vegas Raiders have made all the right moves to be competitive in 2025. The hiring of Pete Carroll and the trade for Geno Smith provide stability and a higher floor than they’ve had in years. The draft class, led by running back Ashton Jeanty, immediately improves their offensive playmaking. While the defence may be capable, it just doesn’t have the talent to hang with the rest of the offences in the AFC West. Look for marked improvements, but for the Raiders to fall short of being a real playoff contender once again.

Final Take: Carroll’s Culture Change and The Gamble on Offence

The 2025 Las Vegas Raiders are defined less by their individual player moves and more by the overarching cultural shift being led by new head coach Pete Carroll. Carroll’s philosophy, built on fierce competition, accountability, and a “championship pedigree,” is being implemented from the top down. The most glaring example of this was the team’s surprising and highly publicized release of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. After signing a massive contract the previous offseason, Wilkins was let go due to his handling of a foot injury, sending a clear message that Carroll’s standard of commitment and excellence supersedes individual talent and financial investment. This was a statement move that, while shocking, perfectly encapsulates the new regime’s approach: play the game our way, or you will not be a Raider.

This focus on culture comes at a cost, however. The Wilkins release weakens a defence that was already a question mark. While the unit still features Maxx Crosby and has added veterans like Jeremy Chinn, it’s far from a finished product. This places immense pressure on the new offensive identity to carry the team. The gambit is that Geno Smith’s veteran presence, combined with a physical run game led by rookie Ashton Jeanty and a dynamic pass-catching tight end in Brock Bowers, will be enough to outscore opponents. This is a gamble. If the offence can live up to its potential and stay healthy, the Raiders have a chance to surprise people and push for a playoff spot. If the defence struggles to hold its own without a star anchor however, this season could be a difficult transition, regardless of the cultural changes being implemented.

-Devon Gallant

Twitter: @DevGallant

Photo: All-Pro Reels. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.