What Happened to Las Vegas Raiders?
The Las Vegas Raiders have experienced significant turbulence since their move to Las Vegas, marked by frequent coaching and general manager changes and consecutive losing seasons in 2024 and 2025. Entering the 2026 season under new head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek, the team is undergoing a substantial rebuild, highlighted by aggressive free agency moves and holding the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. The franchise also saw its ownership succession plan approved by the NFL in early 2026, with Egon Durban gaining an option for controlling interest.
Quick Answer
The Las Vegas Raiders have faced a period of instability, with multiple coaching and general manager changes since late 2023, including the tenures of Antonio Pierce and Pete Carroll, both of whom were fired after short stints. After finishing with disappointing 4-13 and 3-14 records in 2024 and 2025 respectively, the team is now led by Head Coach Klint Kubiak and General Manager John Spytek for the 2026 season. They hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and have been active in free agency, aiming to rebuild the roster. Additionally, the NFL approved an ownership succession plan for the team in March 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler Fired
Head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler were fired after a Week 8 loss to the Detroit Lions. Linebackers coach Antonio Pierce was named interim head coach, and assistant general manager Champ Kelly became interim general manager.
Antonio Pierce Named Full-Time Head Coach, Tom Telesco Hired as GM
Following a 5-4 record as interim, Antonio Pierce was officially named the full-time head coach. Tom Telesco was hired as the new general manager.
2024 Season Ends, Pierce and Telesco Fired
The Raiders concluded the 2024 season with a 4-13 record, placing last in the AFC West and failing to make the playoffs. Head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco were fired shortly after the season.
Pete Carroll Hired as Head Coach, John Spytek as GM
Veteran coach Pete Carroll was hired as the new head coach, and John Spytek was brought in as the general manager, marking another leadership change for the franchise.
2025 Season Ends, Pete Carroll Fired
The Raiders finished the 2025 season with a 3-14 record, the worst since 2006, and their offense ranked last in the NFL with only 241 points scored. Pete Carroll was fired after just one season.
Begin 2026 Offseason with Reserve/Future Signings
The Raiders began their 2026 offseason by signing 12 players to reserve/future contracts, including notable prospects like offensive lineman Laki Tasi and former first-round linebacker Jamin Davis.
Klint Kubiak Named Head Coach
Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was named the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, becoming the team's sixth head coach since 2021.
New Offensive and Defensive Coordinators Hired
Andrew Janocko was hired as the offensive coordinator, and Rob Leonard was promoted to defensive coordinator, finalizing key positions on Klint Kubiak's coaching staff. Mike McCoy was also named assistant head coach.
Significant Free Agency Moves and Trade
The Raiders were highly active in free agency, re-signing CB Eric Stokes and DE Malcolm Koonce, and signing LBs Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, DE Kwity Paye, and K Matt Gay. They also traded QB Geno Smith to the New York Jets.
Further Key Free Agent Signings
The team continued to bolster its roster by signing center Tyler Linderbaum, wide receiver Jalen Nailor, wide receiver Dareke Young, and fullback Connor Heyward. They also acquired cornerback Taron Johnson via a trade with the Buffalo Bills.
Recognized for Strong Offseason
NFL analysts began to recognize the Las Vegas Raiders for having one of the best offseasons in the league, citing their strategic free agency acquisitions and the hiring of Klint Kubiak.
NFL Approves Ownership Succession Plan and Awards Super Bowl LXIII
NFL owners approved an ownership succession plan for the Raiders, which includes Silver Lake co-CEO Egon Durban acquiring a 7% stake and an option for controlling interest. Las Vegas was also awarded Super Bowl LXIII for 2029.
Mark Davis Confirms Ownership Stability
Owner Mark Davis stated that the minority share sale to Egon Durban would not affect the franchise's current operations, emphasizing that "absolutely everything runs exactly the way it's been."
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Las Vegas Raiders have navigated a tumultuous period since late 2023, characterized by a revolving door of leadership and consistent on-field struggles. The instability began on October 31, 2023, when head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler were fired following a Week 8 loss, with linebackers coach Antonio Pierce and assistant general manager Champ Kelly stepping in as interims.
Despite a strong finish under Pierce, who was named the full-time head coach on January 23, 2024, alongside new general manager Tom Telesco, the momentum was short-lived. The 2024 season proved to be another disappointment, with the Raiders finishing with a 4-13 record and failing to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season. This poor performance led to the firing of both Pierce and Telesco shortly after the season concluded in January 2025.
In an attempt to reset, the Raiders hired veteran coach Pete Carroll as head coach and John Spytek as general manager in early 2025. However, the 2025 season under Carroll was an "unmitigated disaster," with the team finishing with an NFL-worst 3-14 record and the offense scoring a league-low 241 points. Carroll was subsequently fired after just one season in January 2026, marking the team's third head coach firing in as many seasons.
The current era began in February 2026 with the hiring of Klint Kubiak as the new head coach, with John Spytek retained as general manager. The 2026 offseason has been notably active for the Raiders, who entered free agency with significant cap space. They made several key acquisitions, including center Tyler Linderbaum, linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, defensive end Kwity Paye, and wide receiver Jalen Nailor, while also re-signing players like cornerback Eric Stokes and defensive end Malcolm Koonce. The team also traded quarterback Geno Smith to the New York Jets and acquired cornerback Taron Johnson from the Buffalo Bills. These moves, coupled with holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, signal a comprehensive rebuilding effort focused on youth and strengthening the trenches.
Off the field, a significant development occurred on March 31, 2026, when NFL owners approved an ownership succession plan for the Raiders. This plan includes Silver Lake co-CEO Egon Durban acquiring an additional 7% stake in the team, giving him an option to purchase a controlling interest if current owner Mark Davis decides to sell. Davis confirmed on April 1, 2026, that this minority share sale would not affect the franchise's day-to-day operations. Las Vegas was also awarded Super Bowl LXIII (2029) during the same annual league meeting. As of April 1, 2026, the Raiders are focused on the upcoming draft and integrating their new coaching staff and free-agent signings to reverse their recent fortunes.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Las Vegas Raiders made different choices?