The 1 Reason the Raiders Are Still a Work in Progress

The Las Vegas Raiders' turnaround will not happen overnight.

Sep 15, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll throws a football before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders got an extremely clear answer on what it is they need to work on this season.

"So, You Are Saying There is a Chance?"

The Raiders' offensive line struggled in Week 1 when the opponent brought pressure. They struggled to do so again on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. The inability to block for quarterback Geno Smith is an issue the Raiders must fix immediately.

Before practice yesterday about consistency, Raiders Head Coach Pete acknowledged that while the unit has been serviceable at best during the first two games of the season. Still, more is needed from the Raiders on way or another.

"Well, we're giving us a chance. We're giving us a chance to make our plays. We get it all works together, the ball has to come out when the rush is hard and quick, and sometimes we did that, and other times we didn't. The reason Geno [Smith] had a chance to throw some late balls down the field is because the protection was so good," Carroll said.

“But it's a work in progress and with Cap [Alex Cappa] coming in this week, late in the week, that was a little bit of an adjustment for us. And we just have to try to manage that more quickly. And as when you've been together longer, those transitions get smoothed over. So, were they a factor? Very subtle, but we definitely can be better, and we definitely know we will in time.

"It always has. There are so many intricacies about what goes on up front, and it's identification, then the proper communication, and then the execution of it. All of those go hand in hand, they kind of have go in sequence," Carroll said.

"So for IDing well and we make the correct calls, then we have to work together, and then we have to execute the physical part of it. So that's different than running a route. That's different than other positions. And so, it always takes time."

The Raiders have many new parts, which nearly always takes more than two regular season games to work through. It will be up to Caroll and his coaching staff to figure things out.

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