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A veteran and rookie quarterback duo, a retooled defense and a brand new head coach are some of the offseason additions the Las Vegas Raiders hope to fuel a comeback year.
For FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd, he views the Raiders’ new additions as a good step forward heading into the 2026 season, especially after their 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 because the Raiders are the rare bad organization in a decade that finally got their coach and their general manager right, they’re both right. I actually think they had a great draft and a great offseason,” Cowherd said on Thursday’s edition of “The Herd.”
Following the trade of former Raiders quarterback Geno Smith to the Jets, the Raiders filled his spot with another veteran – quarterback Kirk Cousins – to complement their No. 1 overall pick in quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Cousins was signed by the Raiders after his two-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons. Additionally, the Raiders drafted running back Mike Washington Jr. and wide receiver Malik Benson, as well as wide receiver Jalen Nailors and Cousins from free agency.
While the Raiders added stars on offense, their defensive overhaul to help complement star defensive end Maxx Crosby was equally impressive. Las Vegas drafted safety Treydan Stukes, edge Keyron Crawford, cornerback Jermod McCoy, safety Dalton Johnston, cornerback Hezekiah Masses and defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland. From free agency, the Raiders added defensive end Kwity Paye and linebacker Nakobe Dean.
Cowherd was quick to praise the Raiders for their head coaching and quarterback talent, but he cautions about what the rookie quarterbacks could bring to the table.
“I don’t think (the Raiders) feel like Baker Mayfield is going to Cleveland. Where I liked the coach and the quarterback, but I didn’t like the opening roster. Where you get in trouble with rookie quarterbacks taken high is when you view them as saviors… Usually teams that have been in last place for years feel hopeless.”
Especially when adding a new rookie-veteran duo to the quarterback room, the question lies in 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.
