Las Vegas Raiders Overhaul Defense Amid AFC West Challenges

The Las Vegas Raiders have made significant moves to strengthen their roster for the 2025 NFL season, particularly addressing linebacker and defensive backfield weaknesses with experienced signings and promising rookies. Veteran players like Adam Butler and Malcolm Koonce have expressed strong confidence in the linebackers’ leadership and performance potential, while quarterback Geno Smith praised the defensive backs for their speed, communication, and tackling during training camp. Despite these improvements, critics like Geoff Schwartz remain skeptical about the Raiders’ overall talent and Geno Smith’s consistency, projecting a challenging season with potentially fewer than eight wins for the team. The Raiders are entering the highly competitive AFC West, facing elite quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and rising star Bo Nix, making division success and playoff contention an uphill battle. New head coach Pete Carroll’s first preseason game against his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, highlights the ongoing roster adjustments, with several players fighting to secure their spots amid an influx of new talent. Overall, the Raiders are cautiously optimistic but aware that many factors must align for a successful season in one of the NFL’s toughest divisions.