football · NFL
The Las Vegas Raiders are a professional American football franchise competing in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the AFC West. Founded in 1960 as the Oakland Raiders, the club relocated to Las Vegas in 2020 and now calls Allegiant Stadium its home. The Raiders have captured one Super Bowl title (XI, 1977) and are known for a gritty, hard‑hitting identity that has produced Hall of Famers such as Howie Long, Marcus Allen, and Tim Brown. Since moving to Nevada, the team has posted playoff appearances in 2021 and 2022, highlighted by a 2022 AFC West championship. Entering the 2026 season, the Raiders are shaping a new offensive look under head coach Josh McDaniels. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is favored to start over rookie Fernando Mendoza, while the receiving corps features emerging talent Jermod McCoy and a deepening depth chart that emphasizes speed and route versatility.
After a busy offseason that saw veteran Kirk Cousins win the Week 1 starting nod over rookie Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders entered minicamp in early May with a refreshed receiving group that includes Jermod McCoy and several undrafted free agents. The depth chart is still fluid, but the coaching staff has emphasized a more balanced attack that blends the passing game with a revitalized run scheme. The 2026 NFL schedule has not yet been released, but the Raiders are projected to contend for the AFC West and aim to improve on last season’s 6‑11 finish.
