HENDERSON, Nev. -- In a week’s time, there will be regular season games played in the NFL.
While the Las Vegas Raiders will have to wait until next Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, this still marks an exciting time for the team. With some moving parts and lead by a new head coach in Klint Kubiak and a new-look quarterback room, it stands to reason that the Raiders will be a team in the middle of an adjustment period. However, it is clear from the moves made this spring that they also expect significant progress from last year.
Over the previous month of training camp, the preseason and the week after, several matters have jumped off the page heading into the regular season, and the Raiders will soon have to answer the questions in front of them.
Here are the points of interest that must be addressed before next Sunday:
The curious case of Ashton Jeanty
The situation regarding Ashton Jeanty is far from cut and dry, with the second-year running back’s status still to be determined for Week One.
However, despite an injury scare at the tail end of training camp, it appears that Jeanty avoided the worst case scenario with a sprained ankle. When the 53-man roster was announced, Jeanty remained on the active roster with only three running backs (Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube being the other two), and it has been reported that he has been working with trainers. While the Raiders have tried to keep Jeanty’s status largely under wraps, the optimism around him seems to be building.
“He’s continuing to improve,” said Kubiak on Jeanty during his press conference on Wednesday after practice. “You guys saw him out there yesterday. He’s still on the mend.”
Choose your quarterback
After keeping the quarterback battle going throughout training camp, Kubiak finally announced on Wednesday that Kirk Cousins would be the starter against Miami.
Cousins did not participate in practice on Wednesday, but it was confirmed by Kubiak that it was a rest day for the veteran quarterback. With three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, Cousins and Aidan O’Connell provide the Raiders with the necessary infrastructure to ensure first overall pick Fernando Mendoza is not under pressure to start before he is ready.
“He played really good football,” Kubiak said on Cousins earning the starting gig. “I’m really happy with all three of our quarterbacks and Kirk’s had a really good offseason.”
Make your mark
It has not been long since Kubiak challenged the wide receiver group to step up to the plate, and the regular season will serve as gut check time for the position.
Tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer should get healthy doses of work in 12 personnel, and the Raiders have tried to get the screen game going with the running backs. However, finding a consistent threat on the boundary can only help to expand the playbook and force defenses to keep themselves honest. Whether it’s an established veteran like Tre Tucker or Jalen Nailor or an emerging young receiver like Jack Bech or Malik Benson, one of these players must take advance of the opportunity in front of them.
Given the crop of receivers expected to enter the 2027 Draft, headlined by the likely first non-QB to be drafted in Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, that should only add to the pressure.
“Just looking for them and for every position to do their job,” said Kubiak when asked about what he wants to see from the receiver group moving forward. “Do their job to the best of their ability, be available and be ready to help our team win games.”
Defensive shift
While the defense still centers around Maxx Crosby, the pieces in his orbit have changed considerably over the past few months.
Crosby has a new edge rusher in Kwity Paye to bookend the defensive line with him, as well as new linebackers in Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker manning the middle. Younger players also dot the lineup, from sophomores such as defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway and cornerback Darien Porter to a secondary loaded with promising rookies. While the new-look unit showed improvement in each of the preseason games, Kubiak was quick to point out the differences between a strong preseason showing and continuing that momentum into the regular season.
“It’s a whole new season,” Kubiak responded. “Preseason’s done and everybody’s undefeated right now, and we’ll see what we’re all about.”
Kubiak also shared some rough news in regard to rookie edge rusher Keyron Crawford, as he was reported to have suffered an Achilles injury in the preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers and will miss the season.
“He’s come a long way,” said Kubiak about Crawford. “He’s an extremely hard worker, a guy that has a bright future ahead of him and he’ll develop even this year. When he’s rehabbing, he’s going to be dialed in to the meetings and he’ll still improve, but [I am] excited about getting him healthy for next season.”