What Happened to Las Vegas Raiders?
The Las Vegas Raiders, an NFL franchise, relocated from Oakland in 2020, ushering in a new era marked by a state-of-the-art stadium but also significant coaching instability and limited on-field success. After a carousel of head coaches including Josh McDaniels, Antonio Pierce, and a brief stint by Pete Carroll, the team is now led by Head Coach Klint Kubiak and General Manager John Spytek, holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft as they aim for a comprehensive rebuild.
Quick Answer
The Las Vegas Raiders moved to Las Vegas in 2020, opening Allegiant Stadium. Since then, the team has struggled with consistent leadership, cycling through multiple head coaches including Josh McDaniels, Antonio Pierce, and Pete Carroll. As of April 1, 2026, the Raiders are under new leadership with Head Coach Klint Kubiak and General Manager John Spytek, coming off a 3-14 season in 2025 that secured them the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, where they are widely expected to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Allegiant Stadium Opens
The Las Vegas Raiders' new $1.9 billion home, Allegiant Stadium, officially opened in Paradise, Nevada, marking the team's full transition to Las Vegas.
Last Playoff Appearance
The Las Vegas Raiders made their first and only playoff appearance since relocating to Las Vegas, losing in the Wild Card Round to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Josh McDaniels Hired as Head Coach
Josh McDaniels was hired as the head coach, bringing high expectations for a new era of Raiders football.
Josh McDaniels Fired, Antonio Pierce Named Interim HC
After a disappointing start to the 2023 season, Josh McDaniels was fired, and linebackers coach Antonio Pierce was named interim head coach.
Antonio Pierce Hired as Permanent Head Coach
Following a strong finish to the 2023 season under his interim leadership, Antonio Pierce was officially named the 23rd head coach in franchise history.
Draft TE Brock Bowers in First Round
The Raiders selected tight end Brock Bowers from Georgia with the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, aiming to add a significant offensive weapon.
Tom Brady Approved as Minority Owner
Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady was officially approved as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Antonio Pierce Fired After 4-13 Season
Antonio Pierce was fired after the Raiders finished the 2024 season with a 4-13 record, including a 10-game losing streak.
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, signaling another new direction for the franchise.
Draft RB Ashton Jeanty in First Round
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Raiders selected running back Ashton Jeanty with the 6th overall pick, aiming to improve their struggling run game.
Pete Carroll Fires Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly
Amidst a disastrous 2025 season, Head Coach Pete Carroll fired Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly after the team's offense ranked near the bottom of the league.
Pete Carroll Fired After 3-14 Season, Klint Kubiak Hired
Following a 3-14 record in the 2025 season, Pete Carroll was fired, and Klint Kubiak was subsequently hired as the new head coach.
Significant Free Agency Signings Begin
The Raiders were active in 2026 NFL Free Agency, signing key players like center Tyler Linderbaum, defensive end Kwity Paye, and linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker.
Mark Davis Succession Plan Approved
NFL owners approved a succession plan for owner Mark Davis, involving the sale of a minority share to Egon Durban, though Davis stated it wouldn't affect franchise operations.
Hold No. 1 Pick in 2026 NFL Draft, Expected to Draft Fernando Mendoza
As of today, the Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft and are widely expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Las Vegas Raiders embarked on a new chapter in 2020, relocating from Oakland and opening the impressive Allegiant Stadium, a $1.9 billion multi-purpose venue designed to host NFL games, UNLV football, and major events like Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 and WrestleMania 41 in 2025. Despite the grand new home, consistent on-field success has largely eluded the franchise. After a playoff appearance in 2021, the team entered a period of significant upheaval.
The tenure of Head Coach Josh McDaniels, hired in 2022, was marked by high expectations but ultimately disappointing results, leading to his firing midway through the 2023 season. Linebackers coach Antonio Pierce stepped in as interim head coach, galvanizing the team to a strong finish in 2023, including a franchise-record 63 points against the Los Angeles Chargers and a win over the Kansas City Chiefs. This performance earned Pierce the full-time head coaching job in January 2024.
However, the 2024 season under Pierce proved challenging, with the team finishing 4-13 and enduring a 10-game losing streak. Quarterback instability, with a competition between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell, was a significant factor in their struggles. Pierce was subsequently fired in January 2025. In a surprising move, veteran coach Pete Carroll was hired as head coach for the 2025 season, with John Spytek taking over as General Manager. The 2025 season, however, was even more disastrous, with the Raiders finishing 3-14, the worst record in the NFL, leading to Carroll's dismissal in January 2026.
As of April 1, 2026, the Raiders have once again reset their leadership, hiring Klint Kubiak as head coach. The team holds the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, with many analysts projecting them to select Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana, signaling a clear direction towards rebuilding around a young signal-caller. The offseason has also seen significant free agency activity, with the Raiders acquiring key players like center Tyler Linderbaum, defensive end Kwity Paye, linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, kicker Matt Gay, wide receiver Jalen Nailor, and cornerbacks Taron Johnson and Eric Stokes, aiming to bolster both sides of the ball. Owner Mark Davis also saw a succession plan approved in March 2026, involving the sale of a minority share to Egon Durban, though Davis insists he has no intention of selling his controlling interest. Tom Brady was also officially approved as a minority owner in October 2024.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Las Vegas Raiders made different choices?