No one enters this offseason with more money to spend than the Las Vegas Raiders.
Free agency week has arrived, and it’s safe to expect the Raiders to pursue all sorts of available free agents to join a roster that needs plenty of reshaping. They’ve also got the No. 1 overall pick next month, which is expected to be used on Fernando Mendoza, the QB from Indiana.
Of course, the Raiders didn’t wait until free agency to get their offseason rolling. They’ve already traded away Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens for a pair of first-round picks. (An update: That deal has been backed out of by the Ravens as of Tuesday night.)
That expanded what was already a lot of open cap space even wider, and now the free agent world is their oyster.
MORE: Check out our full NFL free agency tracker here
There are certain spots the Raiders don’t need upgrades. QB is one, with Mendoza incoming. RB is another, after drafting Ashton Jeanty last year. And TE fits that mold, too, with young star Brock Bowers.
Almost everywhere else, the Raiders can improve. That’ll make the ongoing free agency particularly fascinating.
It’ll definitely make sense to make moves at wide receiver, to give Mendoza the best chance of success.
We’ll be keeping track of all the happenings for the Raiders right here.
MORE: Travis Kelce reveals why he didn’t retire and signed back with Chiefs
Raiders free agency rumors, news, live updates
Refresh for latest. Times in ET unless otherwise noted.
WEDNESDAY
11:20 a.m.: The Raiders aren’t backing down on their trade asking price for Maxx Crosby even after the snafu with the Ravens.
8:40 a.m.: A follow-up on the Maxx Crosby trade and the Ravens — they appear to be pursuing Trey Hendrickson now, which would add an odd flavor to their choice to pull out of the Crosby deal.
7:30 a.m.: It’s worth noting that the Ravens have pulled a similar move to this Maxx Crosby shocker at least three other times. Whether they’re actually connected is obviously less certain.
7 a.m.: The news about Maxx Crosby on Wednesday morning indicates that he’s ready to stick around with the Raiders.
6:45 a.m.: It’s a big day in the NFL free agent process. No deals are actually official yet. At 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT) on Wednesday, contracts can become official and players can fully join their new teams. That’s when teams will start making lots of announcements on social media. This is also the day many releases can become official across the league, which could create the potential for more deals.
TUESDAY
11 p.m.: Some good news: The Raiders likely don’t have to change any of their free agent signings to make salary cap space for Maxx Crosby’s (at least temporary) return.
10:45 p.m.: Maxx Crosby’s agent is not happy – this is a blistering take.
9:55 p.m.: One thing worth noting is that the Raiders could have more moves coming soon because certain releases don’t actually process until the league year begins on Wednesday. That’ll impact available players and cap room.
9:35 p.m.: The Cowboys aren’t expected to re-engage on a Maxx Crosby trade right now, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
8:05 p.m.: A shocker. The Ravens have pulled out of the Maxx Crosby trade with the Raiders. It’s not clear yet why, but it changes a lot.
7:20 p.m.: One potential veteran QB off the market: Teddy Bridgewater returns to the Lions, via Ian Rapoport.
5:20 p.m.: If any team wanted to get weird with a running back addition, Devonta Freeman wants to make an NFL comeback. But he’s 34, so that would be quite the thing.
4:50 p.m.: The Raiders are expected “to explore veteran QBs who could be potential stopgap starters,” according to The Athletic’s Michael Silver, who adds that Mac Jones won’t be the guy they end up with.
4:40 p.m.: Bengals free agent Trey Hendrickson is lingering and apparently getting inquiries from all over. Could a sleeper team emerge? Stay tuned.
2:15 p.m.: The Raiders have traded Geno Smith away to the New York Jets, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Vegas gets a sixth-round pick while also sending a seventh-rounder to the Jets.
1:50 p.m.: SI’s Albert Breer broke down one reason Tyler Linderbaum was a key signing for Vegas: “The role of the center in helping to run the presnap operation is massive in new head coach Klint Kubiak’s offense. The scheme also values athletic linemen who can move on zone runs. Linderbaum’s a perfect fit on both counts, and his football IQ should help ease the transition of presumptive first pick Fernando Mendoza to the pros.”
10:45 a.m.: Something to note as the free agency tampering window continues into a second day: Things will definitely be slower today. Guys that weren’t signed immediately usually weren’t signed immediately for a reason. Either they really are taking their time intentionally, or they don’t have the interest they want. Plenty more deals will come, but they could be stretched out over the next handful of days.
9:45 a.m.: ESPN shared the stat that the Raiders dished out $283.5 million worth of contracts on Monday.
8:35 a.m.: Vegas may stay busy again on Tuesday after adding a handful of players on day one.
7:55 a.m.: The Raiders made two contract tender moves, via Over The Cap: “Raiders applied the original round RFA tender to Thomas Booker IV. Standard RFA tender for Jordan Meredith.”
6:45 a.m.: A couple key things to note as Tuesday gets underway. Free agency operates much the same way today as it did Monday. It’s still the “legal tampering” period. Deals can’t be made official until Wednesday. There are still a good chunk of free agents on the board, so more news should emerge throughout the day.
MONDAY
11:30 p.m.: The Raiders had a very full first day of action. There are still likely more moves to come, too.
10:30 p.m.: One signing that flew past earlier: Malcolm Koonce is joining the Raiders’ defense for another year, re-signing on a one-year deal, per Jordan Schultz.
10:10 p.m.: The Raiders have a new kicker. They’ve signed Matthew Gay, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
6:19 p.m.: Kenny Pickett is leaving in free agency to join the Carolina Panthers, again via Schefter.
6:02 p.m.: Linebacker Quay Walker joins almost immediately after Dean, leaving the Packers to come to Vegas, via Ian Rapoport.
6:01 p.m.: The Raiders get linebacker Nakobe Dean from the Eagles on a three-year contract, per Adam Schefter.
4:38 p.m.: The Raiders sign Kwity Paye to a three-year contract worth $48 million to add the pass rusher from the Colts, per Adam Schefter.
4:27 p.m.: After a few big moves, the Raiders quieted down. There’s still plenty more to be done, and lots of names still available to be signed.
2:20 p.m.: News that Mike Evans is leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to sign with the San Francisco 49ers is shocking. It also officially removes Vegas from possibly ending up with Evans.
2:15 p.m.: The Raiders strike again. They sign WR Jalen Nailor from the Vikings for three years and $35 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
1:46 p.m.: The Raiders have made a splash. It’s a three-year, $81 million deal with center Tyler Linderbaum from the Ravens that makes him the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history. Deal reported by Adam Schefter.
12:10 p.m.: The Raiders are keeping Eric Stokes. It’s a three-year, $30 million deal to keep the former first-round in Vegas, per Ian Rapoport.
12 noon: The NFL’s legal tampering period opens. Reports from insiders will come soon about agreed-upon signings. Nothing can be officially signed until Wednesday.
11:10 a.m.: Mike Evans reportedly is considering leaving Tampa Bay. He’d be an awesome target for Fernando Mendoza, if Evans was willing to take the risk to come play with a rookie QB.
10:50 a.m.: The negotiating window opens at 12 noon ET, which is 9 a.m. PT. That’s when to expect rumors to start coming in quickly.
Raiders free agent signings
- In the evening, Matthew Gay signs to be the Raiders’ new kicker.
- The Raiders re-signed Malcolm Koonce to a one-year deal.
- Moments later, Quay Walker joins the mix as another linebacker, him from the Packers.
- Another defensive upgrade: Nakobe Dean into the linebacker room from the Eagles.
- Kwity Paye joins to bolster the pass rush from Indy.
- Jalen Nailor joins the receiver corps. He was a great slot guy in Minnesota who was overshadowed by Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
- The Raiders have a center for their presumed new QB. Tyler Linderbaum from the Ravens agrees for three years and a whopping $81 million.
- Eric Stokes is staying in Vegas. He got a reported three years and $30 million. The deal can’t be finalized until Wednesday.
Raiders free agent losses
- The Raiders traded Geno Smith away to the New York Jets on Tuesday.
- While not a signing elsewhere, the trade of Maxx Crosby over the weekend leading into free agency could be a franchise-defining one for both the Raiders and Ravens. (Update: The Ravens pulled out of this deal. It’s not clear what happens next).
- Kenny Pickett signs with the Panthers, departing Vegas after they traded midseason to get him from the Browns.
