You probably did not have many expectations for the Las Vegas Raiders coming into the 2025 season. It is an organization that won just four games a year ago and has made the playoffs just one time in the previous eight years. It is not exactly a franchise that demands respect or preseason hype.

But do you know who did have expectations for them this season? The Raiders themselves. Not necessarily because of anything they said about their expectations, but because of the moves they made.

You do not trade a third-round draft pick for a 35-year-old quarterback (Geno Smith) if you are not intending to compete right now. You do not hire a 74-year-old head coach (Pete Carroll) if you are not intending to compete right now. You do not draft a running back (Ashton Jeanty), a position with the

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