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Robert Spillane

Patriots To Sign LB Robert Spillane

March 10th, 2025 at 11:59am CST by Sam Robinson

Robert Spillane established himself as a starter during his Raiders tenure, and Pete Carroll expressed interest in retaining the veteran linebacker. But free agency will lure him out of Las Vegas.

The Patriots will use their league-leading cap-space figure to bring in Spillane, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported (via NFL Network). It is a three-year, $37.5MM deal, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Spillane will see $20.6MM guaranteed, The Athletic’s Vic Tafur tweets.

After Spillane’s two-year, $7MM deal came following a 59% usage-rate Steelers season, the Raiders were correct in buying low. He started all 34 games he played over the past two years, posting 97 and 98% snap rates in those seasons. The Patriots will pay up for his age-29 and age-30 seasons. Spillane made 158 tackles last season and 148 in 2023, stuffing box scores despite the Raiders failing to improve in this span.

While still better as a thumper type, Spillane showed coverage skills with five INTs and 11 passes defensed in that span. The former UDFA also registered 5.5 sacks in his two Las Vegas years, delivering in just about every facet for struggling teams. Pro Football Focus did observe a disparity between Spillane’s run- and pass-defending skills, ranking him sixth among ILBs in run stoppage and in the bottom third against the pass.

Although Spillane will not be working under Josh McDaniels, this does bring a reunion between a productive Raider and the coach who was in charge when Las Vegas brought him in during the 2023 offseason. Spillane joins a few defenders to stop through New England early in free agency, accompanying Harold Landry, Milton Williams and Carlton Davis. Not landing contracts on the level those higher-end free agents did, Spillane still secured a significant raise from his Raiders pact and will be asked to play a starting role alongside them in Foxborough next season.

Raiders To Prioritize Deals For Malcolm Koonce, Tre’von Moehrig, Robert Spillane

February 27th, 2025 at 5:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

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.

Raiders Likely To Prioritize Robert Spillane Deal

November 23rd, 2024 at 9:10am CST by Ben Levine

Robert Spillane has evolved into a reliable starter in Las Vegas, and the Raiders will likely look to retain the impending free agent. According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, “it’s hard to imagine” that the organization wouldn’t make the linebacker a priority this offseason.

Following a brief cameo with the Titans, Spillane spent several seasons with the Steelers, collecting 191 tackles while starting 16 of his 50 appearances. He inked a two-year deal with the Raiders during the 2023 offseason and quickly established himself as one of the team’s most productive defenders.

Spillane finished his first season in Las Vegas with 148 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions. He’s carried that production into 2024. Through 10 starts, the linebacker has compiled 97 tackles, one sack, and one pick. Pro Football Focus currently has Spillane ranked 37th among 82 qualifying linebackers, with the site giving him one of the highest positional grades for run defense.

While Spillane was signed under the former McDaniels/Zieger regime, it sounds like current coach Antonio Pierce and GM Tom Telesco would welcome back their starter. It will surely cost more to sign the linebacker this time around, but the organization may have no choice but to pony up. As Tafur notes, the Raiders lack reliable depth at the position. Former third-round pick Divine Deablo has started all 30 of his appearances over the past two-plus years, but he still lacks the consistency to lead the LBs room. Tafur notes that the organization is also high on fifth-round rookie Tommy Eichenberg, although it’d be unrealistic to expect the linebacker to start as a sophomore.

AFC West Notes: Raiders, Staley, Broncos

November 10th, 2023 at 1:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Josh McDaniels‘ leadership style became a lightning rod in Denver, helping lead to the successful New England OC’s second-season firing. Although ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano notes McDaniels’ Raiders situation did not feature a personality conflict on that level, a number of issues arose near the end of his 25-game Las Vegas tenure. While McDaniels’ style this time around was viewed as a bit more empathetic, Graziano colleague Jeremy Fowler notes the same traits that keyed the early wrap in Denver — people skills and a flawed culture — resurfaced in Nevada. This Patriot Way model led to quickly eroded trust, with the quarterback situation being the main part of McDaniels’ plan not resonating with players.

The team’s move from Derek Carr to Jimmy Garoppolo produced warning signs, but the McDaniels- and Dave Ziegler-handpicked veteran’s immobility and erratic play (NFL-high nine interceptions, despite two missed starts) led to some in the Raiders’ building believing Aidan O’Connell should have replaced the veteran starter earlier than he did, Fowler adds. Had the Raiders turned one of their several visits with early-round draft prospects into a selection, perhaps McDaniels would have been given more time to groom that player. With the team waiting until the final pick of the fourth round to take its quarterback, it is quite possible the team’s passer of the future is not on the roster. This being the case certainly interfered with McDaniels displaying his vision to the team.

Here is the latest from the AFC West:

  • In what should not be especially surprising, Fowler adds some around the league believe Brandon Staley will need a winning effort to stave off a post-season three firing. Some viewed Staley as a candidate to be dropped after the Chargers‘ 27-point collapse in last year’s wild-card round, which came after Mike Williams suffered an injury in a meaningless Week 18 game. But GM Tom Telesco backed his HC for a third season. Again without Williams, the Bolts are 4-4. After Sean Payton was repeatedly connected to this job in 2022, the Bolts would obviously need to look elsewhere to replace Staley — if they choose to take that route — next year.
  • Last week’s USC-Washington game naturally attracted NFL personnel, but ESPN.com’s Pete Thamel notes both Broncos GM George Paton and Giants GM Joe Schoen were on-hand in a game that featured likely 2024 quarterback draftees Caleb Williams and Michael Penix. Both the Broncos and Giants would have complex paths to adding another QB. Denver could draft one with or without Russell Wilson on the roster, with a rookie salary perhaps complementing the starter’s hefty contract or hitting the Broncos’ cap sheet after they absorb a record-shattering $85MM in dead money (over two years, in the event of a post-June 1 cut). Regardless of how the Broncos fare in the season’s second half, Wilson’s status will be their top storyline.
  • The Broncos recently promoted Ben Niemann to their 53-man roster, and 9News’ Mike Klis notes the team did so to prevent another club from poaching him off the practice squad. Niemann, who could have conceivably loomed as a Chiefs roster replacement for the injured Nick Bolton, has 80 games under his belt. He added to that total earlier this year, against the Bears. The former Chiefs and Cardinals starter caught on with the Broncos after the Titans cut him in August.
  • Raiders free agency addition Robert Spillane recently underwent hand surgery, per interim HC Antonio Pierce (via The Athletic’s Vic Tafur), but it did not keep him off the field. After breaking his hand against the Lions in Week 8, the fifth-year linebacker underwent a procedure a day later but played every snap against the Giants. Largely a part-timer in Pittsburgh, Spillane — attached to a two-year, $7MM deal — has logged 98% of Las Vegas’ defensive snaps this season.

Raiders Looking To Add Another Linebacker?

May 28th, 2023 at 10:03pm CST by Ely Allen

After losing starting linebacker Denzel Perryman to free agency and allowing Jayon Brown to walk after ending the year on injured reserve, the Raiders’ linebacker depth is a bit sparse. According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, it would make a lot of sense for Las Vegas to sign a veteran free agent or two before the year starts.

Only eight linebackers saw snaps for the Raiders last seasons, so with eight currently on the roster, the number of bodies is a problem but maybe not the most pressing one. The steep decline in experience and talent is a more troubling situation, though. Last year’s group was led by the Pro Bowler Perryman, second-year starter Divine Deablo, and Brown. Due to various injuries, each of the three missed at least five games last year, with Deablo and Brown appearing in just under half of the team’s contests. The absence of their top players led Las Vegas to lean on undrafted rookie Luke Masterson and veteran Blake Martinez. The team also utilized Harvey Langi, Darien Butler, and Curtis Bolton, but the three were mainly relegated to special teams.

Deablo returns to lead a group of de facto starters that includes free agent signing Robert Spillane and Masterson. None of the three have ever started for more than half of an NFL season, but all will enter 2023 as full-time starters. Deablo was off to a strong sophomore season before injury, racking up 74 total tackles in just eight games as a full-time starter. After initially signing as an undrafted free agent with the Titans, Spillane broke out in 2020 as an injury replacement for Steelers starter Devin Bush. Bush’s return resulted in a diminished role for Spillane the next year, but he finally earned more time on defense last season in Pittsburgh. Masterson handled himself admirably when thrust into action as a rookie last year, but ultimately, he has a ways to go before proving himself to be an asset to the starting lineup.

Aside from those three contributors, the team returns reserves Bolton, Butler, and Kana’i Mauga, an undrafted rookie who didn’t see any playing time last season in Las Vegas. While those three didn’t contribute much last year and shouldn’t be relied upon too much this season, perhaps some depth will be provided from the team’s sixth-round draft pick out of Florida, Amari Burney. Burney projects as an outside linebacker after serving in a hybrid safety/linebacker role for the Gators throughout his career. He started all 13 of the team’s games as a fifth-year senior and added strong contributions with 79 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, and four sacks. He provides some versatility, as well, as he tallied two interceptions, four passes defensed, and two forced fumbles. The Raiders also signed NC State’s Drake Thomas as an undrafted free agent. Thomas was a tackling machine in Raleigh, reaching 99 and 101 total tackles over his final two seasons, respectively. Over that time, the disruptive defender tallied 32.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. If he can contribute near the same level as a pro, Thomas could add to the list of undrafted linebackers getting significant playing time on the Raiders defense.

It’s hard to determine who Las Vegas might pursue to add some depth and experience to the room. Former Viking and Cowboy Anthony Barr is available and, although he’s 31 years old, he still started 10 games for Dallas last season. Brown is still available if healthy and agreeable to a return. A couple years separated from a Pro Bowl season, Jaylon Smith is available after starting 11 games for the Giants last year. Rashaan Evans is still fairly young and hit free agency after starting every game for the Falcons last season and racking up 159 total tackles. Kwon Alexander and Zach Cunningham should be available for relatively cheap, as well.

It does look like Las Vegas could desperately use some more experienced bodies in the linebackers room, especially after the onslaught of injuries they dealt with in 2022. There are plenty of options available out there if the team is looking. The Raiders just need to find the right fit for the right price or settle for what they’re working with.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Ekeler, Raiders

March 29th, 2023 at 11:33am CST by Sam Robinson

Jarrett Stidham will replace Brett Rypien as Russell Wilson‘s Broncos backup, agreeing to a two-year, $10MM deal. While Stidham has fewer career starts than Rypien, his late-season Raiders cameo — particularly a 365-yard, three-touchdown performance against the 49ers’ No. 1-ranked defense — generated a market for the former Patriots fourth-round pick. Stidham chose the Broncos over the Raiders because of Las Vegas’ Jimmy Garoppolo signing and potential to also add a quarterback in the first round, per NBC Sports’ Peter King. From the Broncos’ perspective, Sean Payton views Stidham as an upward-trending option behind Wilson.

“There were a handful of No. 2s that either I have worked with, or we felt comfortable with,” Payton said, via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. “In this case, I think he’s a No. 2 whose arrow is moving in a direction where we feel like he can become an NFL starter in our league. The evaluation was pretty crystal clear for all of us. I think he’s someone that’s going to be great in the room. He’s smart. Quietly, that was an important signing for us.”

Payton’s words do not point to a quarterback competition, but this addition does provide an option in case Wilson’s 2022 stumble was more indicative of a steep decline than being trapped in a dysfunctional offense. Here is the latest from the AFC West:

  • Wilson ran into a few injury problems during his shockingly mediocre first season in Denver. Knee trouble can be added to the Broncos quarterback’s list of ailments. Wilson underwent arthroscopic knee surgery shortly after last season ended, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The 12th-year passer is expected to be ready for Payton’s first round of Broncos OTAs. This issue nagged Wilson for a few seasons, per Rapoport. Last year, the knee trouble accompanied hamstring, shoulder and lat issues, along with a late-season concussion. Wilson, who did not miss an NFL start until his 11th season, missed two games last year.
  • Dre’Mont Jones signed for slightly more per year than Zach Allen, committing to the Seahawks on a three-year, $51MM deal just after the ex-Cardinal agreed to a three-year, $45.75MM Broncos pact. But Jones ended up receiving less guaranteed money ($23MM) than Allen ($32.5MM). The Broncos viewed Jones’ initial asking price as too high, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com notes, pointing to Jones — a player the team had long wanted to retain — preferring a change of scenery or reducing his demand as the market shifted. The Browns also pursued Jones but landed Dalvin Tomlinson shortly after the ex-Bronco’s Seattle pledge.
  • Austin Ekeler explained his trade request recently, correctly indicating his contract is out of step with the value he provides the Chargers. But GMs do not see a market forming for the former UDFA, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post notes. Ekeler has outperformed most of his peers on their respective second contracts, but several teams took advantage of this year’s buyer’s market at the position. Many lesser backs filled roster holes. While Ekeler is still just 27 and could provide versatility for another team, the Bolts may not land too much for him. His four-year, $24.5MM contract runs through season’s end.
  • Robert Spillane signed a two-year, $7MM Raiders contract, coming over from the Steelers. That ended up being more than Denzel Perryman received to leave Las Vegas for Houston, and Spillane said (via The Athletic’s Vic Tafur) Raiders coaches want him to wear the green communication dot. This would point to the Raiders eyeing a big role for Spillane, a run-stuffer who logged a career-high 59% defensive snap rate in 2022.
  • The Raiders were planning to move Dylan Parham from guard to center, Tafur adds, but the team’s decision to retain starting snapper Andre James will lead to Parham staying at left guard (Twitter link). A 2022 third-round pick, Parham started all 17 Raiders games as a rookie. McDaniels said the Memphis alum will still work at center, pointing to this being the team’s backup plan in case James goes down.
  • Jerry Tillery‘s Raiders deal is a two-year, $6.8MM accord that includes $5.5MM in total guarantees, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets. The ex-Chargers first-round D-tackle is due a guaranteed $1.5MM roster bonus in 2024, though his 2024 base salary ($1.7MM) does not become fully guaranteed until next March.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/14/23

March 14th, 2023 at 9:51pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Las Vegas Raiders

New England Patriots

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/15/22

March 15th, 2022 at 6:58pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look at the latest tender decisions from around the NFL:

RFAs

Tendered:

Non-tendered:

ERFAs

Tendered:

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/2/21

December 2nd, 2021 at 11:37am CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves, with the list being updated throughout the day:

Dallas Cowboys

Houston Texans

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers

Washington Football Team

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/13/21

March 13th, 2021 at 6:43pm CST by Zachary Links

Teams have until March 17 to extend tender offers to their restricted free agents and exclusive rights free agents. . Some teams are already making their calls in advance of March 17. We’ll keep tabs on the latest here:

RFAs

Non-Tendered: 

ERFAs

Tendered: 

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