Raiders' 5 Most Underrated Moves Under GM John Spytek

In just two offseasons, the Las Vegas Raiders have made legitimate progress on their coaching staff and roster.

Feb 10, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek at press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders have made more notable roster moves this offseason than just about any team in the National Football League. Las Vegas has made several notable moves that have thoroughly upgraded its roster in just a few months.

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek walks on the sideline before the CFP National Championship college football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Las Vegas has made several productive moves since Raiders General Manager John Spytek took over. The Raiders' roster has taken an undeniable step forward thanks to the big moves made. Yet some of Spytek's quieter, more subtle moves have been almost as impactful.

Drafting Caleb Rogers

Dec 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) prays on the sidelines before playing against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The Raiders' Organized Team Activities and training camp will tell, but it appears that in his first offseason, Spytek may have drafted a starting left guard in Caleb Rogers. If Rogers is able to solidify the starting position, the Raiders got a starting offensive lineman in the third round.

This could potentially be the most underrated move of Spytek's first two offseasons.
Rogers is penciled in at right now, so this is not far away from being another successful move by Spytek. A significant one at that.

Jakobi Meyers Trade/Jalen Nailor's Contract

Nov 2, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) tackles Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

These two moves go hand in hand. Meyers initially signed with the Raiders, two GM hires before Spytek arrived. His first season was Meyers' final year of a three-year deal that paid him roughly $11 million per year. The veteran wanted a long-term contract at a yearly rate nearly double his salary at the time with the Raiders.

Las Vegas was unwilling to make that happen, but traded him to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who gave him a three-year deal worth $20 million a year. Las Vegas eventually signed the younger Nailor to a contract nearly identical to the one Meyers signed with the Raiders in 2023. Spytek and the Raiders did right by Meyers and by the organization.

Sticking With Veteran DE Malcolm Koonce

Nov 30, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) reacts after sacking Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (not pictured) during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Through all the movement in the Raiders' front office and among their coaching staff, Koonce has remained. This, despite a devastating injury days before the start of the 2024-25 season, was a contract season for the budding defensive end.

Las Vegas' decision to continue signing Koonce to one-year deals through multiple coaching staffs speaks volumes about their belief in him. The move will not turn many heads nationally, but keeping Koonce is a low-risk, high-reward move for Las Vegas.

Retaining, Promoting Rob Leonard

Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive line coach Rob Leonard against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Raiders have had their fair share of head coaches and offensive coordinators over the past four seasons. So, when Pete Carroll's coaching staff was largely wiped out, who the Raiders decided to keep was noteworthy. The most stability the Raiders had over the past four seasons was at the defensive coordinator position. However, with Patrick Graham heading to Pittsburgh, that stability was gone, too.

Spytek and the Raiders decided to retain Leonard before officially hiring Klint Kubiak. Then, Kubiak reportedly decided to promote Leonard from position coach to defensive coordinator. Both decisions will prove critical in time, but one does not happen without the other.

Quickly and Efficiently Moving on From Christian Wilkins

Sep 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) celebrates after a penalty overturned a scoring play by the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Spytek faced a challenge early in his tenure with the Raiders, as one of the highest-paid but least-productive players on the team, Christian Wilkins, was seemingly unable to get on the same page with the front office about his recovery from an injury that held him out of 12 of his first 17 games while on the roster, after signing a massive $100 million contract with the Raiders just months before.

Wilkins, who was signed by former Raiders General Manager Tom Telesco, and Spytek got off on the wrong foot, and things never recovered. Still, how Spytek handled everything, both privately and publicly, was noted by those in and around the organization and set the tone for how things would be handled going forward.

Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

The fact that Wilkins, who was one of the top free agents available just two offseasons ago, still has not signed with another team lends credence to the belief that Spytek and the Raiders handled it the right way.

Spytek handled the first of many major distractions during his tenure, quickly and firmly. How he conducted business was undoubtedly noted and respected by the players in the locker room, helping establish the first layer of the rebuild he was tasked with overseeing.