The Las Vegas Raiders aren’t the only team making headlines. Here’s a look at the biggest developments around the AFC West in training camp.
Training camp is officially underway across the AFC West, and for the Raiders, that means it’s time to start scouting the competition. The Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Chargers all opened their doors to veterans this week, and while none of it involves Las Vegas directly, every storyline out of those three buildings matters for a Raiders team trying to climb back into contention in the league’s toughest division.
Here’s what stood out from around the division and why it should matter to Raiders fans.
Denver: A New Building, and the Same Old Super Bowl Hangover
The biggest story out of Dove Valley wasn’t about football. It was about the Broncos’ brand-new, $175 million training facility. Players like Quinn Meinerz and Patrick Surtain II couldn’t stop talking about the upgrades, from underground parking to a golf simulator. It’s a flashy investment by the Walton-Penner ownership group, but it’s also a smart one. Facilities like this help attract and retain players, coaches, and staff.
For the Raiders, it’s another reminder that Denver’s ownership is committed to building a long-term contender, not just chasing one good season. That’s an unsettling reality for a division rival, especially after the Broncos won 14 games last year.
Still, it’s not all smooth sailing. Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper reported to camp while an unresolved felony assault case continues to hang over him, with a court date set for late August that could become a distraction once the season begins. The Broncos also had veteran left guard Ben Powers take a pay cut entering the final year of his contract, raising some questions about the team’s long-term plans at the position.
None of that means Denver is headed for a downturn, but those are storylines worth watching. Sean Payton’s teams have a history of slow starts, and the Broncos face a brutal schedule early in the season. If the Raiders hope to gain ground in the AFC West, catching Denver before it hits its stride could be one of their best opportunities.
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Kansas City: Same Contenders, New Questions
The Chiefs enter camp with real sympathy surrounding the team after news broke about a serious family situation involving offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, which will keep him away from the building for the foreseeable future. That’s a legitimate disruption for Kansas City’s coaching staff heading into a critical stretch of camp.
On the roster side, Kansas City looks like a team leaning on its rookies and internal development rather than splashy additions. First-round defensive lineman Peter Woods is already drawing praise for his versatility, and the offensive line, already the best interior group in the league, added more depth pieces while shipping Wanya Morris out to Atlanta. Kenneth Walker III steps in as a genuine three-down running back, something Kansas City hasn’t had running alongside Patrick Mahomes in years.
That said, the Chiefs’ skill-position questions are real. The wide receiver room outside of Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy is wide open, and there’s uncertainty at cornerback and defensive end. For a Raiders defense looking to create turnovers and pressure, an offense still figuring out its receiving corps is an opportunity worth circling on the calendar.
Los Angeles: Continuity Could Be the Chargers’ Biggest Weapon
Of the Raiders’ three AFC West rivals, the Chargers may be the team with the most momentum entering camp. Across the roster, players like Ladd McConkey, Troy Dye, Donte Jackson, and Justin Eboigbe all emphasized the same thing: continuity. Instead of learning a new system, they’re building on one they already know, especially on defense under coordinator Chris O’Leary.
McConkey said he’s fully recovered from the hamstring injury that slowed him during the offseason, while left tackle Joe Alt expressed similar confidence in his health. On offense, the Chargers are entering their first year in Mike McDaniel’s system, which means less thinking and more playing fast. That’s a concerning combination for a Justin Herbert-led offense that already gave the Raiders problems in 2025.
One message kept coming up throughout Chargers camp: depth. Several players described this as one of the deepest and most complete rosters they’ve been on. If they stay healthy, the Chargers have a legitimate case as the AFC West’s biggest challenger to Kansas City. While also being one of the Raiders’ toughest obstacles this season.
What It Means for the Raiders
Three different stories, three different challenges: Denver is spending big and building for the long haul but carries real off-field and slow-start risks; Kansas City is retooling around youth with clear weaknesses at receiver and in the secondary; and Los Angeles enters camp with continuity and depth that could make them the division’s most dangerous team if health holds.
For the Raiders, the plan doesn’t change: win the games in front of you and build your own identity in camp. But every storyline here doubles as a scouting report, and the cracks in Denver, Kansas City, and LA are exactly what the Raiders should be looking to exploit once divisional play begins.
*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images