Ushering in a New, While Reflecting on Old Raiders Era

It's a new era of Raiders football, and for the first time since the team was in consistent playoff contention, the rebuild and return to winning ways feels like it finally has real legs.

The Raiders have been at the bottom of the AFC for far too many years for a demanding fanbase's liking, and owner Mark Davis has tried to pull every string to turn the organization in the right direction.

Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

From hiring familiar faces to thinking outside the box, nothing has worked for a franchise that once ruled the NFL. It has been a painstaking process for the Raiders to return to the top of the league.

A sign of things to come

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

But all it takes is one hire -- and one ownership insert -- to give fans a glimmer of hope that the glory days will return. General Manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady have torn the organization down to the studs and decided to build things in a way that will establish consistent winning.

They hired a first-time head coach in Klint Kubiak, who helped the Seattle Seahawks win a Super Bowl by building a consistent and explosive offense, helping Sam Darnold maintain his career resurgence.

Kubiak is exactly what the Raiders need from a head coach: A young, up-and-coming offensive mind from an established coaching tree. It doesn't hurt that his father was a Super Bowl-winning head coach, too.

The Raiders will pair Kubiak with Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, a safe prospect who won the Heisman Trophy and a national championship at college football's worst program. He isn't a transcendent prospect, but he's a smart player joining an offensive system meant to ease quarterbacks' workloads.

Everything is looking up for the Raiders right now, but it's also worth reflecting on where things fell apart and how the team has learned from its past mistakes.

Team building failures

Oct 10, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (99) gets ready before the snap during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

As of now, there are only two players remaining on the Raiders' last playoff team: left tackle Kolton Miller and defensive end Maxx Crosby (and this almost wasn't the case).

Also, since 2019, of the 57 picks the Raiders have made, only 22 remain on the roster (38 percent).

Of those 22, 20 are still on rookie contracts (Crosby and Malcolm Koonce are the only ones who aren't).

Not being able to build a foundation through the draft killed the Raiders, as they failed to find many young players to hang their hat on as a franchise.

Spytek must find the right prospects with his 10 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. If he does, the Raiders' rebuild will last much shorter than expected.

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 last few years have been agonizing for Raiders fans, but things are looking up.

The Raiders are following the right path to contention. Using the past as a tool can be incredibly valuable, and the organization -- and the fans -- know they never want to return to that place as a franchise.