We are so back. The NFL regular season finally kicked off this past weekend, and that means we finally got to see this new-look Las Vegas Raiders team in action. Granted, this Miami Dolphins team might turn out to be historically bad, but even with that caveat, Las Vegas looked more like a real NFL team than it has in several years.
With that in mind, here are a few initial reactions to the game…
Michael Mayer is worth the money…
The former Notre Dame tight end was given a hefty contract extension this past week. That led to a hot debate within Raiders Twitter (you can’t make me call it X) over whether Mayer deserves to be one of the highest-paid tight ends in the league. With Brock Bowers out to start the year, this game proved to be a great example of what Mayer brings to the table. The tight end tied Ashton Jeanty for a team-leading six catches, on top of being a very effective blocker in a dominant Raiders running game.
That production helps explain the price tag. While the money may seem crazy, it’s important to remember that guys usually plummet down the list of highest-paid players at their position about a year after their deal is signed. Also, folks seem to be struggling to take the hint from how the league views the position. This year’s draft was a great example: several “blocking tight ends” went much earlier than expected on the second night. Two- and three-tight-end packages are making a comeback, and this contract reflects that.
Speaking of front office moves…
The Raiders need help in the secondary…
Don’t let the beach ball that Malik Willis tossed up for Treydan Stukes fool you. The Raiders’ secondary looked dreadful. Miami has possibly the worst receiver corps in the league, and it still had guys running wild down the field at times. Getting lit up by rookie third-round pick Caleb Douglas is simply unacceptable.
Some will point to the Darien Porter injury as an excuse, but he didn’t look good either. Still, his absence could be a great excuse to bring in some help at cornerback. It just so happens that the Steelers appear to be shopping Joey Porter Jr. John Spytek should at least make a call about his availability. That said, he should immediately hang up if Pittsburgh asks for a third-round pick.
The secondary isn’t the only place the Raiders may need to get creative. Finally, the Raiders may also soon have another tough personnel decision on their hands…
Related: So what’s going to define the 2026 Las Vegas Raiders?
Kirk Cousins’ seat is getting warmer…
Did the Raiders win? Yes. Did Kirk Cousins throw three touchdown passes and manage the game well? Yes, and for the most part, yes. Nevertheless, his three touchdowns came on just 160 passing yards and were paired with two ugly interceptions. It was a solid game against a bad team. Cousins looked exactly like what the Raiders brought him in to be: a bridge quarterback who should be pulled as soon as the rookie is ready.
That description held up on Sunday. At this stage of his career, we know Cousins is going to be more of a game manager, and that’s fine. However, both of his interceptions were the result of poor decisions. It would be one thing if they were simply the result of an aging quarterback making the right read but not having the arm to execute it. In this case, both were balls that shouldn’t have been thrown. If Cousins keeps making rookie mistakes, Las Vegas might as well play its actual rookie, Fernando Mendoza.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images