The Las Vegas Raiders made key moves in free agency to change their fortunes in 2026. So far, the results have been hard to ignore for all the wrong reasons.
Before the 2026 offseason began, the Raiders had the most cap space in the NFL. Then came the drama surrounding Maxx Crosby, which cast doubt on the team’s defensive future. In response, Las Vegas signed several free agents on that side of the ball. Linebacker Nakobe Dean has been phenomenal, but no other signing has made a major impact.
Whatever the reasoning behind the spending spree, the offseason additions were meant to address three areas: bolstering the offensive line, stopping the run and generating a consistent pass rush. Over the past two weeks, the Raiders have seen little of any of it. Aside from Dean, none of the free agents who arrived with hefty price tags have panned out in Sin City.
Kwity Paye is generating no pressure…
The 2021 first-round pick signed a three-year, $48 million contract this offseason. Paye has never been a dominant pass rusher and has been average at best. In reality, the 28-year-old edge rusher has been below average this season.
Don’t let the stats fool you about No. 95. Most of his sacks came off defensive line stunts, and he currently holds a 50.0 grade from Pro Football Focus. Paye is not a negative player, but the price tag is not matching the production right now.
Tyler Linderbaum has not improved the run game…
Despite giving Linderbaum the highest-paid contract ever for an interior offensive lineman, the Raiders’ running game has been nonexistent. The blame does not fall entirely on the former Baltimore Raven. Running back Ashton Jeanty is battling an ankle injury, and opposing defenses are not respecting the passing offense.
Still, a contract of that size should help a team overcome those obstacles, and that has not happened. The Raiders are averaging 82 rushing yards per game, which ranks them as a bottom-five rushing offense.
Related: Raiders’ run game problems point to bigger issues
2023 Malcolm Koonce is not coming back…
In 2023, Koonce stepped up late in the season and finished with eight sacks. After suffering a knee injury in 2024, the pass rusher has not returned to that form. In other words, the Raiders have gambled on his potential two seasons in a row and lost both times.
He still has time to grow, but the outlook is not promising right now.
Overall, the free agents have not performed to their price tags. Many of the best players on the roster are still on rookie contracts. The Raiders are in a rebuilding mindset, but spending premium cap space on free agents is not helping the cause.
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