The Raiders and Knights both turned to a Smith to address a team need this week, but one fan base appears far happier than the other.
Football
The Raiders face key decisions on defense before free agency starts Monday, with seven players set to hit the open market, including Robert Spillane and Tre’von Moehrig.
A former Raiders defensive coordinator and longtime NFL assistant will join the staff of his former college teammate, UNLV coach Dan Mullen.
Quarterback Geno Smith was acquired by the Raiders from the Seattle Seahawks for a third-round pick, reuniting him with new Raiders coach Pete Carroll.
The Raiders are expected to release center Andre James at the start of the new league year on Wednesday if they can’t trade him, according to a source.
Quarterback undoubtedly will be the Raiders’ major focus as free agency approaches. But their long-range option will come from the NFL draft.
There was talk at the NFL scouting combine that Shedeur Sanders may fall in the draft. The Raiders, with the sixth pick, would then have a decision to make.
Maxx Crosby needed to buy into coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek’s long-term plans before signing an extension. He liked what he heard.
The Raiders have locked up star defensive end Maxx Crosby with a contract extension that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
The Raiders beefed up their offensive line Wednesday, signing a guard that general manager John Spytek is familiar with.
The Raiders are expected to release one of their veteran quarterbacks next week, setting the team up to pursue an upgrade this offseason.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said Wednesday on his podcast “The Rush” that he’d love it if the team pursued Aaron Rodgers.
Former Raiders star Davante Adams didn’t stay with the Jets long. The wide receiver was released by New York on Tuesday.
The Raiders did not use the franchise tag on any of their own free agents Tuesday, but one decision another team made could affect their plans.
The Vikings need to decide Tuesday whether to franchise tag Sam Darnold, which could affect the Raiders’ pursuit of the veteran quarterback.
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