The stars might finally be lining up fora real and earnest rebuildfor the Raiders.

They hold the first pick overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, which will undoubtedly be used to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and nine other selections to devote to the infrastructure around the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

They also have the second-most cap space in the league at a projected $91 million, which will grow by $8 million with the expected release of quarterback Geno Smith, and the equivalent cash on hand to pour into the roster.

Those resources, coupled with the persuasion of minority owner Tom Brady, the club’s de facto president of football operations, helped them land new head coach Klint Kubiak, the most covetedoffensive mindin this year’s coaching cycle.

An incredible amount of work lies ahead for a club that finished in a four-way tie for the NFL’s worst record, but for the first time in decades, they have the means, resources and like-minded leadership group to put the franchise on course for success.

“Now it’s time to execute,” said someone with knowledge of the club’s thinking.

As the Raiders’ decision-makers settle in Indianapolis next week for the NFL scouting combine, here are some things they will be focused on:

Maxx Crosby, theRaiders’ game-wrecking edge rusher,dominated the news cycle during Super Bowl week, with multiple reports surfacing that he might balk at yet another rebuild in Las Vegas. His uneasiness is understandable, given the multiple resets he’s signed off on over the years that led him and the franchise nowhere.

Crosby will turn 29 years old just before the start of next season, and as he scans the remaining years he has at peak level, the itch to win and play on the NFL’s biggest stages continues to grow. Would anybody blame him if he asked for a trade to a team that presents a more immediate chance to win and the opportunity to showcase his immense talents in meaningful games?

At the least, Crosby has earned the right to sit down with Brady, general manager John Spytek and Kubiak to get a feel for the new plan and, as importantly, the timeline they have in mind to put the Raiders in position to compete at a high level.

Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos