Las Vegas

Raiders

The Raiders officially announced their coaching staff for the 2026 season on Monday, with the QB coach being noticeably absent from the roster. Raiders beat writer Vincent Bonsignore writes that the team had QB coach candidates in mind, but that “it just didn’t work out.” He than adds that the team will likely wait until next season and reconsider hiring somebody to fill the position. On one hand, the jokes write themselves, especially with the Raiders holding the No. 1 overall pick, which is expected to be used on Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza. On the other hand, the Raiders’ coaching staff is chock-full of of coaches with experience at coaching the position, including HC Klint Kubiak, OC Andrew Janocko, and assistant HC Mike McCoy. There’s also some guy named Tom Brady in the building who will likely lend a helping hand or two when needed.

“I think the price is too high. I’m not sure they really want to move him at this point. But that could change,” one NFC executive told Fowler. While Crosby is undoubtedly a superstar, he’s entering his age-29 season. Parsons was entering his age-26 season when he was dealt, and that made a huge difference in the return. We still wouldn’t be shocked if Crosby was eventually moved, but the idea of a Parsons-like haul always felt like wishful thinking.

The Bills can’t really afford to give out $25 million a year on an Alec Pierce deal, so it makes sense to see them connected to the top of the second tier of the free agent market. Either of these players being added would probably spell the end for Josh Palmer in the fantasy football landscape. Fowler adds that the Raiders have been linked to Shaheed, and that Doubs is a potential option for the 49ers.

Normally the “permission to seek trade” line leads to a release — Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs reported that he expected a release in his Friday column — but Edmunds appears to have a real market. Perhaps the Bears could manage a late-round swap out of this. The Titans and Raiders certainly make plenty of space as they have to use their cap space somehow.

Holz returns to where he started as an NFL coach. He was Titans OC for two years before Brian Callahan’s regime went down, and also has passing game coordinator experience with the Jaguars in 2023.

Each club will get an additional $22 million in spending money for this season as a result of the increase. This marks the first time in league history that the cap has gone beyond $300 million, and it is a massive increase from the $208.2 million the league hit in 2022 after cutting back on cap space due to COVID in 2020/2021.

Mendoza also referred to newly minted head coach Klint Kubiak and his staff as a “football savvy” bunch. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion is widely believed to heard his name called by the Raiders, who currently hold the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. As far as quarterback is concerned, Mendoza isn’t facing much competition for the overall QB1 of the class, with Alabama’s Ty Simpson being viewed as a fringe first-round talent at best by most scouts and analysts. Mendoza will likely meet with other teams throughout the combine, but barring an unexpected development, he remains a virtual lock to join the Raiders come April.

It’s not the news dynasty managers who spent valuable draft capital last season want to hear, but it isn’t all that surprising to hear from Kubiak, who deployed both Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet at high rates last season. Jeanty will almost certainly operate as the lead back, but it is a bit alarming when you consider how Walker and Charbonnet were utilized last season, and the fact that both running backs finished as the RB28 in PPR points per game (11.3). It’s far too early to panic, but fantasy managers already participating in early best ball drafts may want to consider this latest piece of news before selecting Jeanty in the last first/early second round of drafts.

This has been a weird saga to track because Crosby appears to still be rankled about how the end-of-season injury management went down despite being unable to not do Maxx Crosby Things — staying in the gym at the facility every day, showing up at Klint Kubiak’s opening presser — that make him feel committed to the Raiders. We wouldn’t quite rule out a Crosby trade just yet, especially since reporters have specifically said that they feel a trade is more likely closer to draft time due to his injury rehab, but the public tenor has seemed to be leaning towards Crosby coming back for a few weeks.

The Cowboys received defensive lineman Kenny Clark and two first-round draft picks in exchange for Parsons last offseason. Parsons was also entering his age-26 season when he was traded and is the better defensive player, while Crosby will be 29 at the start of next season. Age will be a factor in any deal regarding Crosby, who totaled 10 sacks and one interception for the Raiders last season, and is among the most feared defenders in the league. We still don’t know if the Raiders will trade Crosby this offseason, but we would expect him to fetch a decent trade offer, even if the “Parsons deal” is a bridge too far for most teams. The Raiders should get a better gauge on potential suitors during this weeks’ NFL Scouting Combine, which could lead to a deal developing sooner than later if they decide a trade is in their best interest.