Ahead of the 2025 Scouting Combine, Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek addressed the media.
This offseason marks the start of Spytek’s first year with the Silver and Black after having immense success as assistant general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As a first-year front office show-runner, it’s a mystery what Spytek will prioritize when it comes to building a roster in his vision.
There are many holes on the roster as of today, but reinforcements will come soon. Sin City’s new regime has already showed a commitment to safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, handing the 25-year-old a two-year contract worth up to $8.45 million. However, Maxx Crosby‘s contract still remains unadjusted.
Crosby and the Raiders will likely get a deal done as “The Condor” wishes to stay in Vegas. The team’s front office wants him to stick around as well.
“I envision Maxx being a Raider for a long time here,” Spytek said.
Las Vegas Raiders GM John Spytek hints at adding multiple quarterbacks this offseason
Obviously, the Raiders are one of the few teams who desperately need a quarterback. There currently is not one on the roster who a coach can start confidently for an entire season.
There have been numerous rumors on who the team may be interested in; leading the current conversation is Matthew Stafford, but Tom Brady has extensive connections to Shedeur Sanders.
“Any avenue where we can find a quarterback we are going to explore,” Spytek said. “We’re going to try to find as many guys as we can to load that room up.”
This statement should bring goosebumps to former starter Gardner Minshew.
Despite having solid expectations last season, Minshew disappointed in his first Las Vegas campaign. Through 10 starts, the first-year Raider tossed 10 interceptions while only recording nine touchdowns.
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Zamir White was another disappointment last season, but there were no real standouts at the running back position as a whole. Alexander Mattison took the reigns as the workhorse, but injuries ultimately derailed his season.
Sincere McCormick averaged almost five yards per carry last season, but is he the future?
“I think people get really caught up on speed,” Spytek said. “To me it is about the guys who have great instincts, great vision that are hard to get on the ground.”
Kaleb Johnson from the University of Iowa is the “speedster” of the draft. He along with TreVeyon Henderson from Ohio State are the running backs with top-level speed. Spytek’s comments point to the team going in a different direction than either of the two.
Ashton Jeanty may not be the pick at number six for Sin City. There are nine teams who scheduled interviews with the Boise State prospect, but the Raiders are not one of them.
Jeanty aside, the two players who resemble Spytek’s remarks best are Cam Skattebo and Quinshon Judkins. The latter was with current Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly at Ohio State last season, winning a National Championship as the top-rusher in Kelly’s system. Perhaps a reunion between the two is exactly what Spytek is hinting at.
The offseason picks up shortly after the Combine, which is currently underway in Indianapolis. Expect Spytek and the Raiders to make a big move or two during the upcoming weeks, and perhaps more importantly, give much more clarity on the direction Las Vegas is heading in at quarterback.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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