Due to subpar coaching tactics in the first half of the season, the Raiders essentially spent the majority of the year trying to dig themselves out of the hole they had dug. As the season progressed, Antonio Pierce gained command of the club and improved both ends of the court as he guided them to a 5-4 record.

But the most important question in an uncertain offseason is: Where do the Raiders go from here?

For the previous few seasons, the Raiders have been an okay club with occasional glimpses of excellence. The Raiders appear to have most, if not all, of the necessary components to be a championship team, as evidenced by their two defensive touchdown performances against the Chiefs, their 63-point performance against the Chargers this season, their trade for Davante Adams to reunite with Derek Carr, and their historic season last year.

What, therefore, is preventing the Raiders?

The Raiders’ greatest problems heading into the offseason are the quarterback situation, where Jimmy Garoppolo is getting paid a lump sum of money to probably sit on the bench, and the uncertainty surrounding the head coach and coordinator roles. It’s not necessarily Mark Davis’ fault that he passed on the last two head coaching prospects, Jon Gruden and.

Up until the final nine games of this season, the squad had gone through several seasons without a real captain they looked up to.

The major weaknesses are in the defensive back end, particularly at linebacker and safety, and the offensive line.With an estimated salary of $45 million in 2025 and 2026, Davante Adams will rank third in the NFL in terms of pay, behind only Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes.

Having said all of this, the offensive is not the problem. After an embarrassing defeat, the Chargers sacked their general manager and head coach, and Raider Nation saw what they could do. Was this the result of the players and coaching philosophy, or was it the result of the other coaches’ incompetence?