The Las Vegas Raiders enter the 2026 offseason with more questions than answers after a disappointing season that likely ended Pete Carroll’s tenure after just one year. With a top-two draft pick, massive salary cap flexibility, and a minority owner in Tom Brady who may step up his involvement, the franchise stands at a crossroads.

Coaching carousel spins again

Carroll’s future appears bleak following the team’s struggles, marking the fourth time in five seasons the Raiders could be searching for a new head coach. The organization must find the right leader and commit to a long-term plan to build a winner.

Quarterback hunt

A top-two pick in the 2026 NFL Draft puts the Raiders in position to select a franchise quarterback. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore are potential targets. Alternatively, trading down to accumulate more picks remains an option as the roster requires extensive rebuilding.

Tom Brady’s role

Since being approved as a minority owner, Brady has balanced his Fox Sports analyst duties with his front-office responsibilities. The Raiders’ struggles could prompt the seven-time Super Bowl champion to take a more active, on-site role in football operations, which might be critical for a successful offseason.

Super Bowl 63 bid

The NFL is expected to decide at the March league meetings whether Las Vegas will host Super Bowl 63 in 2029. The event and its surrounding festivities would generate hundreds of millions of dollars for Southern Nevada.

Free agency war chest

The Raiders project to have up to $116 million in salary cap space and $140 million in operating cash. Needs along both lines, the secondary, and linebacker positions can be addressed through aggressive free-agent spending.