2026 Raiders offseason: What we learned at the combine

INDIANAPOLIS -- The dialogue surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders at the NFL combine, which will only intensify in the coming weeks, centered on the future of defensive end Maxx Crosby and the inevitable pairing of Indiana quarterbackFernando Mendoza, who is projected to be taken first overall in the upcoming draft (April 23-25, ESPN/ABC).

General manager John Spytek and new coach Klint Kubiak told reporters they expect Crosby to be in a Raiders uniform in 2026. Spytek called Crosby an "elite" player, and said that it's hard to build great teams without elite players.

At the same time, Spytek didn't say Crosby, currently rehabbing from an knee injury, was untradeable. The Raiders are in rebuild mode, and Spytek wants to build the organization the right way, not just put together a quick turnaround. By trading away Crosby, the Raiders could get enough assets to build for the future.

As for Mendoza, Kubiak said he has been catching up on the Heisman Trophy winner's film from this past season atIndiana. The Raiders are not expected to move off the top pick, meaning Mendoza will likely soon become the organization's first quarterback taken in the first round since JaMarcus Russell in 2007.

"I'm excited to keep learning about [Mendoza]," Kubiak said. "He's won a national championship and you want a winner. We're still in the process of going through his whole season, and we'll learn more about him this week."

What else is in store for Las Vegas this offseason? Here are more takeaways from the combine:

Raiders will be evaluating all options at quarterback, including Geno Smith.

While it's almost certain Mendoza will be wearing the Silver & Black in 2026, what about Smith?

Kubiak said the Raiders are evaluating every possible avenue at quarterback. Kubiak mentioned he has spoken to Smith briefly since being hired, whereas Spytek hasn't spoken with the veteran signal-caller since the season ended.

"I've seen videos of him training, and I know he's feeling good, and we'll talk soon here," Spytek said.

Smith's future with the Raiders remains uncertain after being traded to Las Vegas from Seattle a year ago and given a two-year, $75 million extension, which included $40 million guaranteed in 2025.

Smith, 36, was viewed as someone who could slow down the Raiders' quarterback carousel (10 players have started at least one game at quarterback since 2022). Instead, Smith threw a league-high 17 interceptions and was sacked 55 times, putting Las Vegas back in the market for a quarterback.

Spytek, however, didn't put all the blame on Smith.

"It's never all on the quarterback. I know Geno felt like that," Spytek said. "... We didn't help Geno in a lot of places, too. I gotta do a better job in that space. He struggled, but it wasn't for lack of work ethic, trying, or care. I mean, he worked his tail off. I watched it every day."

The best path forward could be for the Raiders to release Smith at the start of the new league year on March 11, meaning they will absorb a dead salary cap hit of $18.5 million. If this is the route the Raiders go, they will still need to bring in a veteran QB to compete with Mendoza and backup Aidan O'Connell. Kenny Pickett, who started in two games for the Raiders, is a free agent.

Mendoza has shown the potential of being a Week 1 starter. But Spytek doesn't believe in throwing a young quarterback into the fire early.

"You want to limit the amount of pressure you have on that guy from the start," Spytek said. "Now, if you have a young quarterback, I'm not necessarily in favor of running him out there right away either, so another quality player that can play the quarterback position if you have a young quarterback."

Las Vegas is open to bringing back cornerbackEric Stokes.

Spytek said he has had "good dialogue" with Stokes regarding a contract extension. Stokes will be a free agent next month, and there's interest from both sides in getting a new deal done.

"He did what I knew he was capable of doing," Spytek said. "I'd love to keep him around."

Stokes signed a one-year deal last offseason after a four-year injury-plagued career with theGreen Bay Packersin 2021. He was one of the bright spots on an inconsistent Raiders' defense, totaling 53 tackles and five pass breakups. He was also targeted 55 times, allowing 338 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Before the 2025 season ended, Stokes told ESPN he would like to return to Las Vegas if the opportunity presented itself. Stokes cited his love for the area and the people in the Raiders' building as reasons for wanting to return.

"I've loved being in Vegas," Stokes said. "[It] made me find love again with football. That's all that really matters."

The Raiders are switching to a 3-4 defense.

Kubiak said the Raiders are switching to a 3-4 base defense (three defensive linemen and four linebackers) under new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard. Las Vegas previously played in a 4-3 defense (four defensive linemen and three linebackers) under former coordinator Patrick Graham.

"I think Robbie can be very multiple with his fronts," Kubiak said. "Coming from working with Mike [Macdonald in Baltimore], working in Miami with [Brian] Flores, he's got a lot of really impressive influences."

Kubiak didn't have a past relationship with Leonard, who has been the Raiders' defensive line coach since 2023. But he said Spytek and defensive pass-game coordinator Joe Woods spoke highly of Leonard.

Kubiak was impressed with Leonard during the process, saying he has a concise vision for what he wants the Raiders' defense to look like.

By switching to a 3-4 base, the Raiders might lean toward adding a nose tackle, whether in free agency or the draft.

"Who our players are and what they do best is what we're going to eventually evolve to," Kubiak said. "But you've got to have a starting point. And that starting point, to me, would be a base 3-4."

Las Vegas is seeking to give running backAshton Jeanty a wingman in the backfield.

Kubiak said Jeanty will be a major building block of the offense, but he wants to lighten his workload. In Seattle, Kubiak ran a two-running back system withKenneth Walker IIIand Zach Charbonnet. He wants to do the same in Las Vegas.

"It's a long season. You don't want to put all the carries and targets on one guy," Kubiak said. "We're identifying guys that are available in the draft, free agents we might go after and looking at our own roster [to see] who can take that. It is important that Jeanty has a wingman."

As a rookie, Jeanty ran the ball 266 times for 975 yards and five touchdowns. And the player with the second-most carries was quarterback Smith with 41.

It's also worth noting that Mendoza is coming from an RPO-heavy offense in Indiana that relied on multiple running backs.Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, who are both in this year's draft, each rushed for at least 1,000 yards.

Kubiak would also like to add a fullback into the mix.

"It is important. You've got to find the right guy, and if you can find that guy, then he becomes a big part of your offense," Kubiak said. "... We're gonna be on the lookout for one, for sure."

The Raiders are still finalizing the coaching staff.

Kubiak isn't ready to name a quarterback coach, and Las Vegas is expected to retain tight ends coach Luke Steckel.

Kubiak said assistant head coach Mike McCoy will help him run the day-to-day operations, calling him "my right-hand man."

He said bringing in offensive line coach Rick Dennison was a "top hire." Dennison, who also worked under Kubiak's dad, Gary, in Denver, brings a wealth of experience. He has been a part of four Super Bowl victories, including last season with the Seahawks as a senior offensive advisor/run game coordinator.

"Just a phenomenal teacher [and] coach. He's done it for a long time at a high level," Kubiak said. "There's an identity that his offensive lines play with play style that I'm really excited for him to bring that here to Las Vegas."

Jackson Powers-Johnson's role on the offensive line is to be determined.

The Raiders selected Powers-Johnson as a guard in the second round of the 2024 draft. And even though Powers-Johnson spent last offseason training to play center, the previous coaching staff, led by Pete Carroll, put him at right guard and had Jordan Meredith play center.

"The fact that he can do multiple spots is really exciting," Kubiak said. "I really like his play style. I like turning on that Chicago game and seeing him being physical and, you know, playing through the echo of the whistle, that's the kind of mindset I want our guys to play with."

The Raiders are expected to upgrade the offensive line this offseason. Interior linemen Meredith,Dylan Parham and offensive tackle Stone Forsythe, who started 13 games at left tackle after Kolton Miller sustained a season-ending ankle injury, will be free agents.

Outside of Miller, Spytek said the Raiders will be open-minded about where players fit across the O-line.

The Raiders already have intriguing young players in guard Caleb Rogers and offensive tackle Charles Grant. Kubiak is hopeful Dennison can get the best out of the players currently on the roster.

"We're going to have a clear teaching style," Kubiak said. "I've seen Rick Dennison get the best out of his guys. And the main thing is that we get them all playing together. And that comes with teaching our system."

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