Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Las Vegas Raiders

As the Las Vegas Raiders push for a wild-card spot, their offense has undergone a transformative stretch of additions—from veteran playmakers to strategic scheme tweaks—that have turned a inconsistent unit into a reliable force. Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Las Vegas Raiders isn’t just a recap of new faces; it’s a breakdown of how each move—whether a midseason signing, a contract extension, or a formation adjustment—has filled critical gaps, boosted chemistry, and given quarterback Derek Carr the tools to lead late-game drives. These additions, compiled here like entries in a team notebook, tell the story of an offense that’s evolved to compete with the AFC’s top defenses.

Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Las Vegas Raiders opens with the most impactful acquisition: the midseason signing of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to a one-year, $13 million deal. Hopkins, a five-time Pro Bowler with 851 career receptions, joined the Raiders in November after being released by the Arizona Cardinals—a move that immediately addressed the team’s need for a second elite pass-catcher alongside Davante Adams. In his first six games with Las Vegas, Hopkins recorded 32 catches for 410 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a game-winning 25-yard reception against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12. What made the addition even more valuable was Hopkins’ ability to thrive in the slot—a role that opened up outside routes for Adams and forced defenses to spread their coverage thin. “DeAndre brings a level of consistency and clutch performance we were missing,” Carr said after the Chiefs win. “He doesn’t just catch passes—he makes plays that change the outcome of games. Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Las Vegas Raiders starts with him because he’s been the catalyst for our offensive resurgence.”

Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Las Vegas Raiders turns to the contract extension of running back Josh Jacobs, a move that secured the offense’s rushing identity for the foreseeable future. After a contract holdout that delayed his start to training camp, Jacobs signed a one-year, $12 million extension in September—ending uncertainty around the team’s all-time leading rusher (1,653 yards in 2022). The extension paid immediate dividends: Jacobs has rushed for 980 yards and 7 touchdowns this season, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, and has become a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield (35 receptions for 280 yards). The Raiders also adjusted their scheme to lean into Jacobs’ strengths, adding more zone-running plays and “checkdown” options that let him exploit mismatches against linebackers. “Keeping Josh was non-negotiable,” said offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi. “He’s the heart of our offense—when he’s running well, everything else falls into place. The extension wasn’t just about money; it was about showing Josh we believe in him as a franchise cornerstone. Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Las Vegas Raiders includes this move because it solidified our rushing attack, which is the foundation of our offense.”

Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Las Vegas Raiders highlights how the Las Vegas Raiders’ signing of veteran tight end O.J. Howard has added versatility to the passing game. Howard, a former first-round pick with 1,737 career receiving yards, was signed to a one-year, $3 million deal in October after being released by the Buffalo Bills—filling a void left by injuries to backup tight ends Foster Moreau and Luke Willson. Howard has proven to be more than just a depth piece: he’s recorded 18 catches for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 40-yard score against the Denver Broncos in Week 14, and has become a key blocker in the run game (helping Jacobs rush for 110 yards in that same Broncos win). His ability to line up as an in-line tight end, slot receiver, or even fullback has let the Raiders run more two-tight end sets—creating confusion for defenses that struggle to predict run vs. pass. “O.J. has been a Swiss Army knife for us,” Lombardi said. “He can block, he can catch deep balls, and he’s smart enough to pick up our scheme in a week. The Las Vegas Raiders needed someone who could do it all at tight end, and O.J. has exceeded every expectation. Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Las Vegas Raiders features him because he’s made our offense more unpredictable—and that’s how you beat good defenses.”

Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Las Vegas Raiders explores the addition of offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor, a practice squad elevation that turned into a critical starter. Eluemunor, who spent the first 10 weeks of the season on the Raiders’ practice squad, was elevated to the active roster in November after left guard Dylan Parham suffered a knee injury. What was supposed to be a temporary fill-in turned into a permanent role: Eluemunor started the next five games, allowing just one sack and helping the Raiders rush for 100+ yards in three of those contests. His physical style of blocking—especially in run support—complemented the Raiders’ zone scheme, and his chemistry with center Andre James helped stabilize an offensive line that had been plagued by injuries. “Jermaine is the definition of a ‘next man up’ story,” said head coach Josh McDaniels. “He worked his tail off on the practice squad, and when his number was called, he didn’t just show up—he dominated. The Las Vegas Raiders talk a lot about building depth, and Jermaine is proof that our practice squad is full of players ready to contribute. Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Las Vegas Raiders includes him because he’s a reminder that sometimes the best additions aren’t the ones you sign in free agency—they’re the ones who earn their spot every day.”

Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Las Vegas Raiders wraps up with the scheme addition of the “empty backfield” formation, a tactical tweak that has unlocked the offense’s passing potential. The Raiders began using the formation—where no running backs are in the backfield, and five receivers are on the field—in Week 11, and it quickly became a weapon against zone defenses. In empty sets, Carr has completed 72% of his passes for 480 yards and 5 touchdowns, with Hopkins and Adams combining for 28 catches in those formations. The addition of the empty backfield forced defenses to drop an extra defender into coverage, which opened up running lanes for Jacobs when the Raiders shifted back to standard sets. “The empty formation wasn’t just a new play—it was a new way to attack,” Lombardi said. “It let us get our best playmakers on the field at once and force defenses to make tough choices. Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Las Vegas Raiders saves this for last because it shows how additions don’t have to be players—they can be ideas that make the entire offense better. For the Las Vegas Raiders, these offensive additions have been about more than winning games in the short term; they’ve been about building an identity that will keep us competitive for years to come. And right now, that identity is one of a tough, versatile offense that can beat you in a dozen different ways.”