Raiders' personnel decisions last week are potentially long-term benefits

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll stands on the field before a NFL football game against the New York Giants at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. Photo by: Wade Vandervort

The Raiders’ decisions last week to shut down Maxx Crosby, Brock Bowers and Jeremy Chinn with two games remaining in Las Vegas’ season could pay off with potentially franchise-changing benefits.

While sitting those players weakened an already depleted roster — the Raiders were blown out 34-10 by the woeful New York Giants on Sunday — they are in position to get the top pick in next year’s NFL draft. It’s a slot the Raiders will lock up if they lose at home to Kansas City on Sunday.

Given the Raiders haven’t had a championship-level quarterback since Rich Gannon took the franchise to the Super Bowl in the 2002 season, getting that top pick is crucial. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza at this point looks like the selection, but Dante Moore also could be considered. Both quarterbacks could decide to stay in college another year as well, or the Raiders could trade down for additional assets to address their many needs.

Regardless, having the top selection would give Las Vegas options. The Raiders also will be flush with salary cap space, their $105 million in spending money second in the NFL, according to overthecap.com.

That would be a lot of capital for general manager John Spytek to work with, and whether rebuilding decisions will be made with coach Pete Carroll still in charge remains to be seen. Carroll said he has support of management, but there are indications they aren’t completely aligned.

Much of the roster was formed or at least influenced by Carroll, who brought in players he coached in Seattle such as Geno Smith, Jamal Adams and Tyler Lockett. He talked openly and confidently before the season about the Raiders reaching double-digit victories.

Being at the bottom with a 2-14 record is not Carroll envisioned. He has acknowledged several times he was even blind-sided by the avalanche of losses.

He especially hated shutting down Crosby, the heart and soul of not only the Raiders’ defense, but their entire team. Crosby isn’t known for going half speed in anything and was miffed the Raiders chose to sit him, so he left the facility in protest on Friday. He later posted videos of him shooting a basketball and jumping on a trampoline.

Carroll said he had positive text exchanges with Crosby, and the star pass rusher was back in the building Monday.

“We’re eye to eye on what’s going on,” Carroll said.

Carroll, of course, is on the same wavelength with Crosby when it comes to wanting to win now and has demonstrated that by mostly sticking with veterans.

But now the Raiders can truly look to the future after just one more game.