What is the best-case scenario for the Las Vegas Raiders this upcoming season? According to Bleacher Report, it centers around their offense.
Once the Raiders’ new braintrust of Pete Carroll and John Syptek was up and running, the vision for the 2025 version of this team started taking form. The organization took active steps to reshape the offense from the inside out. They moved on from center Andre James and then used the draft to reload the receiving corps—overhauling the group with Jakobi Meyers still leading the way. Of course, the big headlines came from two moves in particular.
The Raiders made a significant move by drafting Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall selection, defying current NFL trends by selecting a running back on Day 1, just outside the top five. Additionally, they acquired Geno Smith, addressing a quarterback position that has been problematic for nearly three years. Stability at the quarterback position is crucial, and Smith provides just that. This raises the question: will the performance of the offense determine how far the Silver and Black will go this upcoming season?
Bleacher Report predicts the Raiders’ offense will “hit the ground running…”
Alex Balletine of Bleacher Report recently examined each NFL team, outlining the best-case scenarios for every squad. For the Raiders, it’s clear that the focus is on the offense making a strong start. “The Raiders’ offense might be the most transformed unit of the offseason,” Ballentine wrote. “The days of a Gardner Minshew II-Aidan O’Connell quarterback battle feel like ancient history with Pete Carroll reuniting with Geno Smith.”
Ballentine’s analysis is accurate. For Las Vegas, it was addition by subtraction when they parted ways with Minshew. While O’Connell does still serve a purpose as the team’s backup, it wasn’t necessary to completely clean house. Nonetheless, Smith reuniting with Carroll should give plenty of reason for optimism.
In terms of Jeanty’s addition, Ballentine stated, “Jeanty’s arrival gives the unit an old-school Carroll feel, with the Boise State star potentially filling the Marshawn Lynch role from some of the coach’s best Seahawks teams.” Jeanty is expected to be the workhorse of this running back stable; there’s no way around it. Yes, you don’t want to burn him out from the outset but you invested the sixth overall pick in this youngster; you need to get your money’s worth.
Everyone remembers the nightmare that was Luke Getsy’s offense last season. There were many factors at play, including Minshew’s performance, but 2025 feels different. New offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has proven he can create a competent offense wherever he goes. Perhaps the Raiders will be the next team added to that impressive résumé.
*Top Photo: Getty Images