Micah Parsons mentioned the Las Vegas Raiders‘ approach to handling Maxx Crosby’s contract, which was intriguing. Additionally, Geno Smith appears fully committed—he’s all in—along with other notable updates.
Dallas Cowboys stars Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs took the initiative to express their thoughts without waiting for a formal press conference. The Cowboys stars held an impromptu media session in response to comments made by the front office the previous day. The objective was clear: they wanted to clarify their stance. As most NFL fans are aware, Jerry Jones and his players are embroiled in a toxic fight of chicken; who’s going to budge?
The Raiders took care of Maxx Crosby, unlike the Cowboys and Micah Parsons…
According to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Parsons addressed his contract situation with a pointed comment that raised eyebrows and maybe even a few heart rates in Dallas. “Some teams like Maxx [Crosby with the Raiders] knew [they] were coming up and they took care of them,” Parsons said. “Must be nice.”
Parsons didn’t name names beyond the Raiders’ vaunted pass rusher. Still, the message was loud and clear: he sees what’s happening elsewhere—and he’s taking notes. Crosby signed a major extension with Las Vegas well before hitting free agency, something Parsons is clearly hoping the Cowboys consider before things get complicated.
Trevon Diggs, who has already secured his contract extension, expressed solidarity, suggesting that key players on the Dallas defense are united and aware of the situation.
This wasn’t a meltdown. It was a message. The Cowboys’ front office should heed this message before it develops into a meltdown. Regarding the Raiders, it’s encouraging that other prominent players in the league are now utilizing them as a benchmark for contract management.
Speaking of measuring sticks, the new Raiders’ quarterback is raising the standard.
Geno Smith isn’t messing around…
Smith joins a fresh chapter in Raider history. A chapter featuring new general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll. In a quote that’s since gone viral, Smith stated that he “didn’t come to Vegas to roll the dice”; no, instead, he came to Sin City to “run the table.”
The Raiders face a significant challenge in 2025 as they compete in the highly competitive AFC West. The Kansas City Chiefs, three-time defending AFC champions, have dominated the division for nearly a decade. Additionally, two playoff teams on the rise, the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos, each won 11 and 10 games last season, respectively.
The Raiders experienced significant instability at the quarterback position last season, frequently rotating through options in search of consistent play. That said, the acquisition of Smith appears to signal a resolution to that issue. Smith is expected to provide much-needed stability under center, having demonstrated reliable performance during his tenure as the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks.
Over the course of three seasons in Seattle, Smith completed 68.5 percent of his passes. He amassed 12,226 passing yards and 76 touchdowns—figures that reflect both efficiency and productivity. His experience and proven track record suggest he is well-positioned to offer the Raiders a dependable presence. Despite this improvement, the Raiders face a challenging season ahead, especially after finishing with a disappointing 4-13 record last year. However, Smith’s confidence is high as the team approaches training camp.
Speaking of camp, the Raiders were busy on Tuesday.
The Raiders add reinforcements to their secondary…
The Raiders’ secondary has been a significant topic of discussion this offseason, but not for favorable reasons. Despite the additions of Jeremy Chinn and Eric Stokes, along with the return of Isaiah Pola-Mao, there remains a noticeable lack of experience within the group.
Right before training camp kicks off, Vegas made a splash by signing veteran safety Jamal Adams. But flying under the radar was another move—signing cornerback JT Woods, formerly of the Chargers. Woods, a 2022 third-round pick, brings speed (4.36 40-yard dash) and length (6’2″, 32 3/8″ arms), which fit Pete Carroll’s prototype for defensive backs. Despite his limited appearances in only 13 games over two seasons in L.A., his versatility, having played both safety and corner, could potentially give him an advantage. He logged 91 defensive snaps and 89 on special teams, plus a lone start.
The Raiders have been shuffling their DBs across multiple roles this offseason, with Chinn, Marcus Epps, and rookie Thomas Harper all seeing time at different spots. Woods could fit right into that experiment. Still, he’s far from a roster lock. The tools are there; that’s undeniable. However, he’ll need a strong camp to stick around in an already crowded—and still unproven—secondary.
Related: Pete Carroll Updates Raider Nation On Key D-Linemen
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