Raiders Training Camp Report 15: What Happened At Allegiant

LAS VEGAS, Nev.—Today marks day 15 of the Las Vegas Raiders' full-team training camp, and tonight at here at Allegiant Stadium they just conducted their 11th practice of camp in front of their faithful fan base.

This practice was not as feisty as the others, and it shouldn’t have been.

Maxx Crosby | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

Klint Kubiak has multiple new players, so they got to get a feel for them before their first actual game here on Thursday versus the Arizona Cardinals, but it was also a time to celebrate the historic Raider Nation.

For this fan base, it isn’t just a rooting interest; this is their life.

Kansei Matsuzawa | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

Raider Icon Matt Millen once described the Raider Nation to me as, “31 teams in the NFL the fans think they are part of the team, but with the Raiders, they are the only team that the team thinks the fans are part of them.”

That was the purpose of this practice.

Three Observations

Jackson Powers-Johnson | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

Three things stood out most to me. Not it wasn’t anything schematic, as opposing teams could, and probably were, in the house. What did stand out was significant.

Raider Nation still has it. Despite this practice being held at 6 PM on a Tuesday, two days before the first game, thousands showed up and, for the entirety of practice, cheered on the Silver and Black, turning this normal practice into a pep rally by a fan base that finally has substantive hope. Gone is the blind faith that the team would “Just Win, Baby,” and in is a true “Commitment to Excellence” spearheaded by Mark Davis, Tom Brady, John Spytek, and Klint Kubiak.

Tre Tucker. | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

2. Kubiak’s desire fulfilled. Earlier today at the team headquarters, Kubiak made his expectations for tonight very clear. “Tonight's really important. Really excited about going and being in front of our fans, being on the grass that we're going to play on. Coaches communicating with the headsets; really important for the whole operation. Obviously, it's my first game in there. Played a few games on the other side of the stadium, but it'll be really important for players and coaches to get familiar with our surroundings so that we can play our best football on Thursday night."

Several of the rookies from smaller schools could be seen looking fondly at their surroundings. Fans need to remember these are 21- 23-year-old kids who have dreamed of the NFL all of their lives. For them, it wasn’t a practice; it was a fulfillment of a dream.

With the jitters out of the way, the new veterans learned the locker room and stadium, where to go, and this team is ready for Thursday.

RAIDER NATION | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

3. Fernando Mendoza mania is on full display. Mendoza jerseys and signs were seen all over the stadium welcoming their new hero to the Raider Nation. The number one overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, who had NFL executives drooling, thrilled the crowd with whatever he did. This fan base understands the weight on the current Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion’s shoulders, and they already love him.

Fernando Mendoza at Allegiant Practice | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

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