No one saw this coming. A year ago, the Las Vegas Raiders were a punchline. They finished 3-14, had a roster full of question marks and a franchise that couldn’t find a quarterback with a map and a torch. Now, less than 72 hours into the 2026 NFL free agency period, second-year GM Jon Spytek has turned the Silver and Black into the most interesting team in the AFC West. Probably the most interesting team in the entire conference.
Let him breathe for a second.
SpyTech performs big on day one of Raiders rebuild
Spytek began a period of legal tampering by landing Tyler Linderbaum on a record-setting deal for a center – three years, $81 million. This is not a move by a rebuilding team. This is a team that knows what it’s doing and isn’t afraid to pay for it. Linderbaum, just 25 years old and coming off consistently impressive seasons in Baltimore, is one of the two or three best centers in football. He doesn’t just upgrade the Raiders’ offensive line; He lays the foundation for what Fernando Mendoza’s career would turn out to be. You can’t spend so much money in a center without planning who is taking pictures behind it.
Then Spytech continued. Kwiti Paye on a $48 million deal. Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker – former college teammates who are thrilled to play together – bolster a linebacker corps that desperately needs it. Terron Johnson, a former second-team All-Pro, was added at cornerback in a trade that cost a minor pick swap. Kicker Matt Gay, who won a Super Bowl with the Rams. One after another, the moves have been efficient, targeted and consistent.
AFC West strangely quiet behind Raiders
Now look at the entire division.
The Kansas City Chiefs spent the offseason bleeding heart. They traded Trent McDuffie – one of the league’s best young corners – to the Rams for a pick. They lost Jaylen Watson and Brian Cook. Yes, they signed Kenneth Walker III to address the backfield, and Travis Kelce is back for another year. But this is a Chiefs roster with massive flaws in the secondary and a defense that is finished in 2025 and looks nothing like the units that dominated this league for more than a decade. Brett Veach is hoaxing, not scheming.
Denver Broncos? They re-signed JK Dobbins and kept things relatively quiet. Sean Payton’s team isn’t devoid of talent, but they haven’t made any moves that change the conversation. After losing Linderbaum to the Raiders, the Chargers have been busy revamping their offensive line with the additions of Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange. They are filling holes, not creating anything. Jim Harbaugh’s team has shown promise, but they’ve been reacting rather than directing this offseason.
Spytek is directing.
Max Crosby’s Boomerang SpyTech is a boon for the Raiders
What makes it particularly impressive is its context. The Max Crosby trade with Baltimore collapsed when the Ravens backed out after a reportedly worrisome physical condition. One less front office panic. They leave Crosby for whatever they can get.
Spytech’s response was essentially: We’ll stop.
Teams are already calling. He is not disappointed. He has the signatures of Paye and Koonce, the Caps can manage it, and if the right deal comes along, he will do it. Crosby is still a chip on the table. That’s property management, not property worrying.
There are still a lot of blanks to fill. The Raiders went 3-14 last year and a few free agency signings can’t erase that. The AFC West remains the Chiefs’ division until someone physically takes it from them, and Patrick Mahomes makes a fool of a good-looking roster every autumn. Mendoza has not yet thrown an NFL pass.
But here’s the thing about reconstruction: The best ones don’t announce themselves with fanfare. They declare themselves through consistent decision-making, a clear vision, and a front office that treats every move as if it matters. Spytech is doing all these three things. They do not have AFC West counterparts.
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