The Las Vegas Raiders brought in head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek this offseason to repair the damage of a four-win campaign last year. This resulted in plenty of roster turnover ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
Spytek came to Las Vegas from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where they prioritized homegrown talent over free agent signings. Carroll has earned recognition over the years as an expert at developing defensive backs as well.
Still, somehow, the team opted not to re-sign cornerback Nate Hobbs. This move defied the reputations of the Raiders' new leaders, considering Hobbs was a promising player in the slot who was drafted by the franchise in the fifth round of the 2021 Draft.
Former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39).
Former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39).
Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
On a recent episode of the "Locked On Raiders Podcast," former Raiders All-Pro and Pro Bowl offensive lineman Lincoln Kennedy revealed that he was frustrated with the new regime's decision to let Hobbs walk without a contract.
"I was heartbroken when we lost Nate Hobbs," Kennedy said. "I love Nate Hobbs. I absolutely thought he was one of the best nickel corners in the league. Playing that position, with that amount of space in the center part of the field and being effective in the run game as well as the pass game, I thought he was an All-Star to come. So I was absolutely heartbroken when we lost him."
Hobbs played four seasons for the Silver and Black, but only played in 51 of a possible 68 games. He missed at least four games in three of his last four seasons with the team, and his injury concern was likely a large reason why he was not re-signed.
The new decision-making tandem in Las Vegas also made it a point not to overspend in free agency this offseason, and Hobbs ended up signing a four-year, $48 million deal with the Green Bay Packers.
Now, the Raiders will rely on Darnay Holmes to start in the slot for defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who has just 12 career starts in five NFL seasons.
During his four-year stint in Las Vegas, Hobbs recorded 281 tackles, including 14 for a loss, 3.0 sacks, three interceptions and 19 passes defended.