Raiders Opinion: The Case For Rebuilding
With the AFC West evolving into the toughest division in the NFL, the Raiders may need to rebuild.
As the AFC West continues to bolster its rosters and staff or compete in the Super Bowl, the Las Vegas Raiders are getting left behind. The Denver Broncos added head coach Sean Payton, who solidified his Hall of Fame career by continuously finding success despite rostering a quarterback in the sunset of his career, and still hold an impressive defense. Los Angeles found their new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore, brought in with the intention of lifting the Chargers’ offense to an even higher level, while also being backed by an intimidating defense.
Enemy Stays Winning
Fortunately, the Kansas City Chiefs have not made a needle-moving signing as of now. They’re truly too busy winning Super Bowls. Kansas City has established a dynasty, and Los Angeles appears to be on the cusp of relevance. Denver is trying to capitalize on their window of success, and the Raiders have allowed their longtime quarterback to speak with a select group of teams to work out a trade that, at best, could net them cap relief and a mid- to a late-round draft pick.
Square One
Unlike the 2022 preseason, where the Raiders were coming off a 10-7 season, a playoff appearance, and acquiring one of the best receivers in the NFL in Davante Adams, the momentum for Las Vegas is moving backward. A large pushback in regards to tearing things down is the talented core pieces the Raiders currently have. Standouts such as Davante Adams, Maxx Crosby, Josh Jacobs, and Daniel Carlson lead many to believe the team is just a few pieces away from competing in the AFC West, which they may be.
Money Matters
If the Raiders are inclined to ride out Josh McDaniels’ full contract, it is likely that the rebuilding door is opened, especially considering how little hope the 2022 team instilled. The team has been carried by a few lucky draft pick hits amidst a sea of misses, and starting from the ground up could be the solution to building a competent roster from one to fifty-three. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, the Raiders may find some relief when Derek Carr finds his new home or at least comes off their payroll. A long-term quarterback leaving can sound the bells that things simply are not working out, and this could push the Raiders to sell instead of trying to slap bandages on open wounds.
Modern Prototype
The Detroit Lions are a perfect example of how a rebuild can work after moving on from the centerpiece of their offense. Detroit struggled for about a season and a half after bringing in Dan Campbell, but finished the 2022 season on an 8-2 tear. Rebuilds are scary; they are the most significant example of a time the front office truly has more say in a team’s future than the players. During the season, the players found by the front office decide whether or not the team wins, but in the offseason (and rebuilds especially), the players have very little influence in determining the team’s long-term future. But sometimes the rebuild is the right move.
Mile High Magic
Should Sean Payton bring Russell Wilson back to his old self, the Raiders could find themselves competing just to stay out of last place in the AFC West. With how stacked their division is, the team could somewhat quietly rebuild, as opposed to struggling against an average or weak division. Dynasties and good teams come and go, the Broncos, Chargers, and Chiefs will not always be this intimidating. If done correctly, the Raiders could build themselves into contenders just as their divisional rivals begin to fall by the wayside.
