Las Vegas is the Entertainment Capital of the World because everyone loves winning. Visitors flock to the desert to try their luck at lavish casinos, hoping for a life-changing fortune. Vegas added the NFL to its list of attractions with its own football team. But one major issue has remained unsolved: the Las Vegas Raiders have a losing culture.
It’s a reputation earned over decades of futility—planted late in the Los Angeles era, deepened after the move back to Oakland, and still ever-present today. Even during this long stretch of disappointing football, Sunday’s 31-0 loss to the Chiefs stands out as a low point. Las Vegas looked like it needed a new coach, quarterback, and general manager—changes already made in the offseason.
Statistics highlight just how rough the game was, and questions abound for general manager John Spytek, coach Pete Carroll, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, quarterback Geno Smith, and others. But this moment calls for a broader look at the franchise. Too many issues—from an overconfident front office and key injuries to questionable roster moves—have stacked up.
Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty captured the truth after the Chiefs’ rout: “So, if we’re being honest, it’s been a losing culture around here for a long time. But we have to continue to work to fix that and bring winning back here.”
Decades of missteps keep the Raiders in the red…
How does a team bring winning back? Team owner Mark Davis has tried various tactics, many tracing back to his father, Al Davis. At times, decisions appear sound, yet unfavorable circumstances arise. Take 2002: Al Davis traded his coach, and the Raiders still made it to the Super Bowl—only to face the very coach he’d traded, Jon Gruden, and lose. Later, Gruden’s resignation left the Raiders unsure how to capitalize on a rare playoff appearance.
Even now, Mark Davis appears more invested in the WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces. He brought NFL legend Tom Brady into the organization, but Brady’s role is limited when he’s calling games for Fox every weekend. Sunday’s loss underscored the challenge: fixing the Raiders is a full-time job.
The hires of Carroll and Spytek already look like they may have underestimated the scale of the problem. Carroll has turned programs around before, including his Super Bowl run with the Seahawks, which began with two losing seasons. But at the oldest coaching age in NFL history, it’s unclear how long he’ll stay on.
Las Vegas fans have little patience for losers. Currently, that’s exactly what the Raiders are—like a tourist expecting millions at roulette, only to walk away with pennies. Despite this, the Raiders franchise continues to be a sleeper giant. If it can ever cultivate a winning culture, it could dominate both the NFL and the Vegas spotlight.
For now, the Raiders seem further from winning than ever—a harsh reminder that Al Davis’ mantra, Just Win, Baby, has long been more aspiration than reality.
Related: Any Positives From The Raiders Getting Shut Out?
*Top Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images