The Las Vegas Raiders and Rising Expectations
Wide Receiver Davante Adams was brought in to Las Vegas to build off a 2021-22 playoff team. Krebs’ latest Monday NFL Column looks into the role of expectations and how the Raiders can improve next season.
The AFC West was the most contested division last season, with three of their teams in the postseason mix. Ultimately the Chiefs won the division, and the Raiders beat out the Chargers to lose to the Bengals in one of the AFC Wild Card games. However, the Chargers added defensive upgrades to their roster, and the Broncos found their short-term franchise Quarterback in Russell Wilson. The Las Vegas Raiders have their hands full with their division in 2022-23, amidst team upgrades that should raise their sights for the Super Bowl.
Las Vegas made headline grabbing moves this offseason, hiring former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their head coach after a surprising interim performance by Rick Bisaccia, acquiring Davante Adams in a blockbuster trade, and signing edge Chandler Jones, amongst alongside a solid draft. From a personnel perspective, there is no reason why the team cannot make a deep playoff push, unless some wish to discredit QB Derek Carr.
Expectations for teams in contention should rise every year. If teams do not build off their previous season’s success, core players may end up on the hot seat. The Raiders are banking that Josh McDaniels works to improve the team's culture into a consistent contender, but whether the team does develop into one of the AFC’s best teams will be determined during the season.
In a talented division that could see any of the teams win the division, the Las Vegas Raiders need to prove they can hang around top contenders around the league. With a push ahead of their divisional counterparts and by making a deep playoff run, Las Vegas can remove their “culture issue” narrative and prove they are amongst the best teams in the NFL.
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