The long-awaited 2024 National Football League season is finally here. Teams around the NFL have made several additions on both sides of the football to increase their chances of success this upcoming season. The same can be said for the Las Vegas Raiders as they brought in players on both sides of the football to contribute to the new regime under head coach Antonio Pierce. However, a certain question has always been lingering over the Raiders ever since Derek Carr left in 2022. That question is over the quarterback position which still feels unsatisfactory in most fans’ eyes.
The Raiders play in arguably one of, if not the toughest division in football. A division that includes quarterbacks such as the elite talent of Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers. And the sensational three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. Also, a Broncos team with future potential at quarterback as well. The Raiders however have not found their answer at quarterback yet.
A struggling Raiders offense will look to improve from the disappointment they had a year ago. Veteran signing Gardner Minshew will look forward to this upcoming season as he will have plenty of options to throw the ball to and improve the offensive numbers from last season. Options including the likes of veteran Davante Adams and exciting first-round pick Brock Bowers.
The Raiders finished 8-9 last season with both ups and downs. Head Coach Antonio Pierce took over in the middle of the season after previous head coach Josh Mcdaniels lost his job in Nov 2023 when he left his team uninspired.
Pierce brought inspiration and a resurgence back to the struggling Raiders team. Taking over a 3-5 team, Pierce brought a new sense of pride and enthusiasm to the team that was clearly shown on the defensive side of the football.
The Raiders’ defense is the strongest part of the organization for the first time in a while, the likes of defensive lineman Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce, and cornerback Jack Jones were key factors in this defense a season ago. A defense that held the defending Super Bowl champions to 14 points on Christmas Day and the Raiders being the last team to beat them as well. Adding defensive Tackle Christian Wilkins and Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham sticking around, this defense has only gotten stronger. Graham was a key part of the team’s success defensively last season and Wilkins is highly rated across the NFL.
The Raiders open up the season on September 8, against the Chargers and their new coach Jim Harbaugh away from home. This will be a tough challenge for the Raiders as the Chargers are expected to do big things this season under their new coach. The same can not be said for the Raiders as the likes of CBS Sports and Fox Sports have the silver and black finishing the season with a record below .500.
If the Raiders want to shock people this season they will have to do a lot better offensively. Something they are very capable of with their star-studded weapons and improving offensive line. But the quarterback will always be the main talking point throughout this season based on his previous status and if he is good enough to take this team forward.
