The Raiders were unable to build on their 2021 wild-card appearance, having changed HCs and GMs twice since that game. But the new Las Vegas staff remains interested in some continuity despite this batch of free agents having arrived the Jon Gruden-Mike Mayock and Josh McDaniels-Dave Ziegler regimes.
The team is expected to prioritize new deals for safety Tre’von Moehrig and linebacker Robert Spillane, the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore notes. Moehrig arrived as a Gruden-Mayock second-round draftee, while Spillane signed during the second and final McDaniels-Ziegler offseason.
Moehrig is expected to garner considerable interest in free agency, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds. The Raiders used Moehrig closer to the line of scrimmage in 2024, and he posted big numbers in a contract year. Moehrig set new career highs in tackles (104) and passes defensed (10), showing he could make an impact in this area as well as in a deep safety role. While the Raiders’ defense regressed in 2024, they are retaining DC Patrick Graham and want to keep some of his top pieces.
Malcolm Koonce did not have a chance to build on his promising 2023, suffering a knee injury just before the season. Still, his first go-round as a regular edge rusher will generate free agency interest. Pete Carroll said (via The Athletic’s Vic Tafur) the team wants Koonce back as well. While the ex-Seahawks HC spoke of retaining more free agents, he singled out Koonce, who broke through for eight sacks during his 11-start 2023.
Spillane played on a two-year, $7MM deal — after mostly working as a Steelers backup over the course of his rookie contract. The Raiders unlocked more from the former UDFA, using him as a starter in every game over the past two seasons. Spillane led the team in tackles (148, 158) in each season and combined for 17 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and five INTs in that span. Off-ball linebackers have seen their market stall in recent years, but Spillane (29) brought value and will likely secure a better contract compared to his 2023 terms. We heard around the midseason point the Raiders would push to retain their three-down LB.
The Raiders trail only the Patriots in cap space, holding nearly $100MM. Considering Carroll, new GM John Spytek and heavily involved part-owner Tom Brady are new, a host of fresh faces will likely come enter the picture after a 4-13 season. But it sounds like the Raiders will make efforts to bring back some of their own talent before they hit the market March 10.
I think the Raiders have the best of both worlds finally after a long time of having neither. A head coach that knows how to put together a top 5 defense and an owner that knows how to put together a top 5 offense. May take a couple years, but we know they are both very strategic and both very good at executing a plan.
And a ton of cap room, the 6th overall pick and a brand new stadium. Things are finally coming up Milhouse.
They’re the right three. They all look like they will continue to contribute. Koonce was an absolute beast in his final 9 games in 2023, and just ran around Slater in one of those games. Hopefully the injury doesn’t slow him down.