Raiders Mailbag: Expectations and Identity of the Franchise

HENDERSON, Nev.—The most important week of the Las Vegas Raiders' entire offseason is this coming week, and there is plenty to talk about.

The third and final preseason game is Thursday night at Allegiant Stadium against the San Francisco 49ers, and the next three days will feature the most important practices of camp.

John Spytek, Mark Davis | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

A lot is on the line in this Raiders' rebuild, including the battle for the few remaining roster spots and the molding of Klint Kubiak’s first 53-man roster, which will be unveiled in exactly one week.

Raider Nation Speaks Out

With that in mind, via social media, I asked Raider Nation to sound off on the franchise, and in a big way, you did.

So let’s dig into some of those sentiments and answer some of your questions.

Who Are We?

Simple Uncle Hondo, who are we? What is our identity on either side of the ball?
— Willy Razo (@bigwillystyl) August 22, 2026

There were so many terrific comments, but none stood out to me more than this one.

In my seven years, I have learned that for this fan base, being a Raider is not merely fandom; it is a way of life.

This is a franchise that, for the first time in decades, is showing restraint, discipline, and a true commitment to excellence that is not just words but action.

Las Vegas Raiders GM John Spytek, and minority owner Tom Brady | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

2026 is a rebuilding year. They will take their lumps with young coaches and players making young coaches' and players’ mistakes.

They expect and will demand improvement with zero compromise, but understand every mistake this season is a lesson learned that won’t need to be repeated in 2027.

2027 will add free agents and multiple NFL Draft picks for a “get right” year, setting the foundation for a 2028 season in which they expect a playoff berth and, subsequently, to be a contender.

Klint Kubiak | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

When you clearly delineate those expectations, you will see each loss and mistake of 2026 as a seed for future success, and not as mere mediocrity, as in the past, or as futility. When you understand the scope of what this season is, you will be able to enjoy it as the laying of a foundation, and not merely as a one-year campaign.

DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE

DEFENSE GETTING CONSISTENT PRESSURE ON THE QB
— T (@TMart2169) August 22, 2026

This is a sentiment many fans share. Rob Leonard was widely seen across the NFL as one of the rising defensive position coaches ready for a shot at being a coordinator.

As a first-year DC, he will have a learning curve, as will Klint Kubiak in the head-coaching chair.

But the reality remains that the defensive line is far from what it will look like in 2028, when they expect to be a perennial playoff team, and of the projected 10 defensive backs (four safeties, six cornerbacks), four are rookies, one is a sophomore, and the third is entering his third year.

I disagreed with not playing the starting defense (minus Maxx Crosby, Nakobe Dean, and Quay Walker) versus the Texans, but that was a Klint Kubiak call.

Only one starter played in that game, in which the Silver and Black defense gave up just 13 points to a team many feel is a Super Bowl contender.

While the Raiders' defense is far from a finished product, it is not as bad as some make it out to be, and the sky is not falling.

John Spytek, Rob Leonard | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

GM John Spytek offers genuine and tangible hope, and you must understand that he will not make long-term sacrifices for superficial glory. He is playing chess and thinking strategically in the long term, so don’t sacrifice that for temporary pleasure that could hurt the future.

Hurting the future salary cap by giving away assets or capital for a 2026 win that takes one away from 2028 is not only useless; it is also counterproductive, and the Raiders are no longer shooting themselves in the proverbial foot.

Setting Up the 2027 NFL Draft

Who are the @Raiders going to pick with their top 5 pick in next year's draft
— J$ (@JeremyENCPack) August 22, 2026

Simply put, the Raiders aren’t taking shortcuts this year, and the more losses they get, the more they set the stage for success in the 2027 NFL Draft.

A year before they took him, I told you they were targeting TE Brock Bowers. Same with QB Fernando Mendoza last year, and I have reported many times that they covet Ohio State Buckeyes WR Jeremiah Smith next year.

I covered Calvin Johnson in Detroit, and I can tell you the NFL sees Smith as a generational talent like Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald.

Imagine every loss this year getting you closer to pairing your prized rookie QB that NFL executives loved with a generational WR1 in Smith in 2027.

Don’t lose sight of a Mendoza-to-Smith connection, and you will sleep better with every loss and learning curve of 2026.

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