Maxx Crosby
Getty
One anonymous NFL general manager is a big fan of what the Raiders have done so far this offseason
The Las Vegas Raiders, for better or worse, have been one of the busiest teams across the NFL this offseason. They have completely revamped their coaching staff, made several big moves in free agency, and briefly traded their best player, Maxx Crosby, to the Baltimore Ravens, only for the deal to fall apart at the last second.
Add in the fact that the Raiders are widely expected to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and it’s safe to say it will be a complete offseason for Las Vegas. While some of the team’s moves have been rather polarizing, according to NFL insider Jason La Canfora, it sounds like at least one anonymous general manager is a fan of what he’s seen from the Raiders.
Anonymous GM Dishes on Raiders’ Offseason
Las Vegas’ offseason started with a bang, as the team decided to move on from head coach Pete Carroll after just one season and replace him with former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Considering how Kubiak just helped Sam Darnold lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to see that there’s some excitement surrounding the potential pairing of him and Mendoza.
In preparation for the arrival of Mendoza, the Raiders have been busy adding players in free agency. Splash signings for center Tyler Linderbaum and wide receiver Jalen Nailor will help on the offensive side of the ball, with the defense receiving an influx of talent from the arrivals of guys like linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, and defensive ends Kwity Paye and Malcolm Koonce.
Crosby also appears to be sticking around for the time being, and while having a pair of future first-round picks would be nice, having a motivated Crosby may be even better. Sure, there are still holes across the roster, but considering where the Raiders were just a couple of weeks ago, it sounds like the team’s body of work has earned them some praise across the league.
“(The Linderbaum deal) is a big overpay, but one they have to make to get the player,” an anonymous general manager said, per La Canfora. “They had more than enough cap and cash, and they got the best offensive lineman available for (presumptive first-overall pick, quarterback Fernando) Mendoza … Overall, I really like what they did. And I never like what the Raiders do.”
Raiders Looking to Cap Off Offseason with Strong Selections in 2026 Draft
Fernando Mendoza
GettyMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 19: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers rushes with the ball against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Adding some players who can make an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball was certainly important for the Raiders, as Crosby was often left to do the heavy lifting on his own last season. Offensively, shoring up the o-line is still a big item on the to-do list, but landing Linderbaum, who is one of the top centers in the league, is a good start.
Armed with 10 picks in the upcoming draft, Las Vegas will now look to further improve the quality of its roster by adding young talent on cheap contracts. Teams that draft well often win the most games, so after a strong body of work early on this offseason, the Raiders have put themselves in position to take a real step forward in 2026 if they can nail their picks in the upcoming draft.