Roster Moves Include Releases and Signings by the Las Vegas Raiders

As the Las Vegas Raiders shift their focus to rebuilding for the 2026 NFL season, the team has announced a series of impactful roster moves—including high-profile releases and strategic free-agent signings—aimed at clearing salary cap space, addressing longstanding positional weaknesses, and injecting fresh talent into a roster that missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year. The moves, unveiled over a three-day span in early March, reflect a deliberate effort by general manager Dave Ziegler to balance short-term competitiveness with long-term sustainability. From cutting veteran players with expensive contracts to signing proven contributors at key positions like quarterback and defensive line, each transaction is part of a broader plan to fix the issues that derailed the Raiders’ 2025 campaign. Roster Moves Include Releases and Signings by the Las Vegas Raiders breaks down the most significant changes, their rationale, and how they’re shaping the Raiders’ roster for the upcoming season.

Roster Moves Include Releases and Signings by the Las Vegas Raiders first focuses on the team’s headline-grabbing releases, highlighted by the decision to cut quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and defensive end Chandler Jones. Garoppolo, who signed a three-year, \(72 million deal with the Raiders in 2024, was released after a 2025 season that saw him throw 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, with costly turnovers in critical games (including two interceptions in the season-ending loss to the Chargers). The move frees up \)24 million in salary cap space, giving the Raiders flexibility to pursue a new starting quarterback. Jones, a 12-year veteran who recorded just 4.5 sacks in 2025 (his lowest total since 2013), was let go to address the Raiders’ struggling pass rush and clear an additional $15 million in cap space. Ziegler explained the tough decisions in a team press conference: “These moves are never easy, especially with players who have had long, successful careers. But we have to make choices that are best for the franchise long-term. Releasing Jimmy and Chandler allows us to free up cap space to address our biggest needs and bring in players who fit our system.” Both Garoppolo and Jones are expected to draw interest from other teams as free agents.

Roster Moves Include Releases and Signings by the Las Vegas Raiders next delves into the Raiders’ key free-agent signings, starting with the addition of quarterback Kirk Cousins on a two-year, \(60 million deal. Cousins, who spent the past six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, brings consistency and playmaking ability to a position that has been unstable for the Raiders since Derek Carr’s departure in 2023. In 2025, Cousins threw 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, leading the Vikings to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth. His ability to read defenses and limit turnovers (he has a career 2.3 interception rate) addresses the Raiders’ biggest offensive flaw from last season. The Raiders also signed defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to a four-year, \)110 million deal, a move that strengthens a defensive line that ranked 26th in the NFL in sacks in 2025. Wilkins, a Pro Bowler with the Miami Dolphins in 2025, recorded 9 sacks and 65 tackles last season, and his versatility to play both tackle and end will give defensive coordinator Patrick Graham more flexibility in his game plans. “Kirk and Christian are exactly the type of players we want to build around,” head coach Josh McDaniels said. “Kirk brings leadership and consistency to the quarterback position, and Christian is a difference-maker on the defensive line who can disrupt opposing offenses.”

Roster Moves Include Releases and Signings by the Las Vegas Raiders also spotlights the Raiders’ moves to bolster their secondary, which struggled to contain opposing passing attacks in 2025 (allowing 262 passing yards per game, 28th in the NFL). The team signed cornerback Jaylon Johnson to a three-year, \(45 million deal and re-signed safety Tre’von Moehrig to a two-year, \)20 million contract. Johnson, who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Chicago Bears, recorded 4 interceptions and 18 pass breakups in 2025, and his ability to cover top wide receivers will help the Raiders slow down elite targets like the Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill and the Chargers’ Keenan Allen. Moehrig, a 2021 second-round pick of the Raiders, emerged as a leader in the secondary last season, recording 92 tackles and 2 interceptions, and his re-signing ensures continuity in the defensive backfield. For the Las Vegas Raiders, these secondary moves are critical to improving a defense that allowed 30 or more points in seven games in 2025. “Our secondary was a major area of concern last season, and we made it a priority to address it this offseason,” Ziegler said. “Jaylon is a proven cover corner who can shut down top receivers, and re-signing Tre’von keeps a core piece of our defense in place. Together, these moves will make our defense much more competitive against the pass-heavy offenses in the AFC West.”

Another layer of Roster Moves Include Releases and Signings by the Las Vegas Raiders is the team’s focus on strengthening special teams, a unit that cost the Raiders several games in 2025 due to punt return fumbles and inconsistent field goal kicking. The Raiders signed punter Tommy Townsend to a four-year, \(16 million deal and kicker Harrison Butker to a three-year, \)21 million contract. Townsend, who won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023, averaged 48.2 yards per punt in 2025, with 32% of his punts landing inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Butker, also a former Chief, made 92% of his field goals in 2025 (including 5 of 6 from 50+ yards) and was perfect on extra points. The team also released struggling punt returner Ameer Abdullah and promoted rookie Tre Tucker from the practice squad to the active roster— a move that rewards Tucker’s strong performance in practice and preseason, where he showed excellent ball security and speed. For the Las Vegas Raiders, these special teams moves are about turning a liability into a strength. “Special teams can win or lose games, and last season we learned that the hard way,” special teams coordinator Tom McMahon said. “Tommy and Harrison are among the best at their positions in the league, and Tre has earned the chance to be our primary punt returner. These moves will give us more confidence in the third phase of the game.”

Roster Moves Include Releases and Signings by the Las Vegas Raiders closes with the broader impact of these changes on the team’s salary cap and future competitiveness. By releasing Garoppolo and Jones, the Raiders cleared over $39 million in salary cap space, which allowed them to sign Cousins, Wilkins, and Johnson—all top-tier free agents—without sacrificing long-term flexibility. The team also made a point to retain key young players like Moehrig and Tucker, ensuring continuity as they rebuild. While the Raiders still have work to do (including addressing offensive line depth and adding more playmakers at wide receiver), these moves have positioned them to be more competitive in the AFC West, a division that includes the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and a rising Los Angeles Chargers team. For the Las Vegas Raiders, the 2026 offseason roster moves represent a fresh start—one that prioritizes stability, talent, and fit within McDaniels’ system. “We’re not looking for quick fixes,” Ziegler said. “We’re building a team that can compete for championships year in and year out. These moves are the first step in that process. We have a lot of work left to do, but we’re confident that we’re moving in the right direction.” As the Raiders continue to shape their roster in the coming months, the focus will remain on adding players who align with the team’s culture and can help end the franchise’s playoff drought—making these early releases and signings a critical foundation for success.