The Las Vegas Raiders are entering the 2025 NFL season with cautious optimism after a brutal 2024 campaign that exposed all the flaws of the previous regime. The 2024 Raiders as a “man-made disaster,” a team that looked better on the surface than it actually was. The 2023 season’s 8-9 finish, led by then-head coach Antonio Pierce, was built on shaky foundations: a run-heavy, low-turnover approach combined with an exceptionally easy schedule masked the team’s underlying weaknesses. Upon dispelling these illusions, the Raiders experienced a significant decline, plummeting from their position near the top in health, turnover margin, and red zone efficiency to the bottom of the league in all these categories.
The fallout was swift and severe: the entire leadership was overhauled. Gone were the GM, the head coach, and the staff. What remains is a clean slate with new faces and a new vision, a chance to rebuild thoughtfully rather than patch over problems.
New Leadership, New Identity
The Raiders’ big offseason moves brought in a fresh coaching duo: veteran Pete Carroll and innovative offensive mind Chip Kelly. At quarterback, Geno Smith takes center stage, a player whose accuracy has been quietly elite over the last four seasons. While he may not get the headlines, Geno has outperformed many more celebrated quarterbacks in on-target passes, a stark contrast to the Raiders’ 2024 offense that ranked 26th in accuracy, leaving their top receivers like Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers chasing poorly thrown balls.
This season, Geno Smith benefits from a major advantage, playing most of his games indoors (12 dome games), where he has historically thrived. Over the past three seasons, his dome stats include a stellar 20:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, strong efficiency per play, and a high success rate. This sheltered environment combined with improved offensive line protection gives the Raiders reason to believe they might see the best version of Geno yet.
A Backfield Revitalized
The offense’s other major upgrade comes in the form of rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick. Jeanty was a dominant force at Boise State, averaging over seven yards per carry and breaking tackles like Marshawn Lynch. His ability to consistently gain yards after contact and produce explosive runs is precisely what the Raiders’ rushing attack desperately needs.
Last season, Las Vegas ranked last in success rate, expected points added (EPA) per rush, and first down or touchdown rate on running plays. Jeanty’s arrival promises to transform the ground game from a liability into a genuine weapon, complementing Geno’s precision passing.
Weaponizing the Air Attack
In addition to improved accuracy and a dynamic running back, the Raiders have added rookie wideout Dont’e Thornton Jr., a 6-foot-5 speedster who led college football in yards per catch and was a touchdown machine. Thornton’s deep-threat ability pairs perfectly with Bowers’ reliable underneath presence and Meyers’ slot versatility, giving Chip Kelly a diverse and explosive set of offensive weapons.
The Dark Spots: Defense and Schedule
Despite offensive optimism, the Raiders’ defense remains a glaring weakness. Their secondary is rated the worst in the league, posing a serious challenge against increasingly pass-heavy opponents.
Compounding the difficulty, the 2025 schedule is brutal. The Raiders have the worst rest and prep situation in the NFL, ranked 32nd in net rest, with five games where they have less rest than their opponent and two short-week road games. Early in the season, they face multiple tough matchups on the road with minimal recovery time, including cross-country trips and facing teams coming off mini-byes. This scheduling nightmare could easily sabotage the team’s rebuilding efforts.
Why There’s Hope
The key difference this year is that the Raiders are no longer banking on luck or illusions. They are investing in clear, data-driven upgrades: improving quarterback accuracy, injecting explosiveness into the offense, and attacking past weaknesses head-on. The coaching staff understands the need for a real rebuild, not just superficial changes.
If the defense can simply improve to league average, a plausible goal given the offense’s improved ability to sustain drives and control the clock, the Raiders could surpass expectations. This season is not about chasing a Super Bowl; they’re 100/1 in the online betting markets for that, but it’s about laying the groundwork for sustained success.
Conclusion: The Raiders’ 2025 Season Is a Restart
The 2024 season was a disaster, but 2025 represents something more hopeful: a true restart for the franchise. With new leadership, a smarter offensive approach, and high-upside young talent, the Raiders are moving beyond illusions and luck to build a team that can compete consistently in the years ahead. This isn’t the year for a championship run, but it could very well be the beginning of one and sometimes, that fresh start is exactly what a franchise needs to thrive.
Related: AFC West Power Rankings Post-Week 1
*Top Photo: Raiders YouTube