Las Vegas Raiders face Brock Bowers extension decision as NFL tight end market resets

Brock Bowers will not sign a contract extension with the Las Vegas Raiders this year. He can’t. NFL rules say so.

For the Raiders to future-proof their franchise, they will have to wait until after the 2026 season. Until then, the price tag won’t look like it does today. And that can be a problem. or is it?

There are three tight ends sitting ahead of Brock Bowers in line for new deals. Those players are about to have new deals and when the riders are ready to extend or give their studs a new deal it could make a huge difference in a tight market.

Sam LaPorta in Detroit, Tucker Craft in Green Bay, and Kyle Pitts in Atlanta are set to reset a resurgent tight end market in the NFL. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this month, based on conversations with league officials, that Laporta and Krafth are both in a position to increase their salaries to above $19 million per season. Pitts will hit the open market next offseason and could make an absolute splash if he reaches free agency.

That’s the part that should concern general manager Jon Spytek.

Brock Bowers in a league of his own?

brock bowers las vegas raiders
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The 23-year-old Bowers is still playing on a four-year, $18.1 million rookie contract signed through 2024. Spotrac lists his average annual value at approximately $4.5 million, which ranks him 32nd among NFL tight ends. He set rookie records with 112 catches and 1,194 receiving yards at age 21, and was named All-Pro and Pro Bowl in his first two seasons.

The current top of the tight end market is San Francisco’s George Kittle at $19.1 million per year, while Arizona’s Trey McBride is essentially flat at $19 million as well. Apart from those two, the situation deteriorates rapidly. It’s that difference that makes Laporta, Craft and Pitts set the standard for Bowers and Spytek.

Bowers may end up in a different conversation entirely.

NFL.com senior researcher Anthony Holzman-Escareno argued last year that Bowers’ next contract would be benchmarked against specific wide receivers, not tight ends. The top 10 wideouts in the league average $32 million per season. Ja’Marr Chase reset that market at $40.3 million per year last season in Cincinnati. Of course, Bowers won’t be getting Chase’s money, but the floor for his extension continues to grow.

Their use is proof that he is moving in that direction. After trading away Davante Adams in 2024 and Jakobi Meyers in 2025, the Raiders failed to add a proven veteran wide receiver in either of the following two offseasons. Bowers became the offense’s top option by default. New head coach Clint Kubiak, who spent last season leading the offense in Seattle, is expected to be relied upon even more.

Connected: Michael Meyer has never had a real QB with the Las Vegas Raiders, but that will change in 2026

Raiders continue to rely on Bowers as key to offense

Brock Bowers Las Vegas Riders

Brock Bowers missed five games due to a PCL injury in the first week of the 2025 season and returned in Week 9 against Jacksonville, catching 12 passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns, then played in 11 more games before going on injured reserve in late December. The final line: 64 receptions, 680 yards, seven scores. Pro Bowl number two was locked in and his value to the franchise was cemented.

There’s no doubt that GM Jon Spytek will spend to keep his guys. The second-year general manager signed defensive end Max Crosby to a three-year, $106.5 million extension through 2025, the richest non-quarterback contract in franchise history. They gave Meyers wide receiver money last summer and traded him in return. The pattern is becoming clear: pay the homegrown stars, and don’t move the rest.

Cap space is not the issue here. Over the Cap projects the Raiders will make $207.5 million in 2028, 13th-most in the league. This covers the first year of any Bowers deal with plenty of room left.

The point is the order in which things happen.

Every tight end who signs before Bowers raises his ceiling and costs Spytek and the Raiders. In Detroit, Laporta will likely end up this summer. Could be in craft training camp. Pitts is expected to hit the open market next spring. Each of those numbers becomes the new comp and will set the standard for how much Bowers will cost the Raiders. By the time the spytech picks up the phone, the negotiations and costs will have escalated.

Bowers gets a base salary of $1.07 million and a roster bonus of $1.36 million in 2026, just under the cap hit of $4.95 million.

Las Vegas opens the season on September 13 against Miami at Allegiant Stadium.

Connected: Las Vegas Raiders 2026 schedule: Zero primetime games, toughest road stretch in years

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Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1 … More about Scott Gulbransen

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Las Vegas Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza called a bust by Rob Parker before running the snap

Rob Parker thinks Fernando Mendoza is going to be ruined.

The child has not taken a single picture. Not a single representative training camp has been conducted. Haven’t thrown a pass that matters since the national title game. And we have to file the judgment in May.

What is the proof of that? The NFL left the Raiders on the primetime slate. This is the whole logic. Apparently, the people who plug the games into the time slot in the league office have better information about Mendoza than Jon Spytek. These are the same brilliant minds who come to Jacksonville every Thursday night and tell us it’s time to watch.

Fox Sports’ Rob Parker’s “Hot Take” Is Simply Ignorant

Fernando Mendoza Attacker
May 2, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) runs through a drill during rookie minicamp at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagine Images

I pulled the clip a second time because I wanted to make sure I held it correctly. I did it. Fox Sports Radio. Thursday. Mendoza’s busted, don’t bother looking, Brady ruined the franchise. All this cooked in May.

First let me explain the obvious part. The Raiders won three games last year. Three. Whenever the league gave him a primetime window in 2025, he was unwatchable. Why on earth would Park Avenue hand them another Sunday night from a rookie quarterback’s college tape? They won’t do that. He didn’t. Lincoln Kennedy said the same thing on the Raiders squad show and Kennedy played here, which means his read on this makes about a hundred times more sense to me than Parker’s. You earn primetime. This roaster hasn’t earned dishwater from Andy Reid’s plate.

He’s not on Mendoza. This is the situation he went into.

The piece that really gets under my skin is the valuation. Or what is missing.

41 Touchdowns. 3,535 yards. Heisman Trophy. Natty. In Indiana. I said Indiana. Spytech will not even take trade calls on picks. Not “took them and passed them.” Did not pick up the phone. I’ve covered enough drafts to tell you when a GM is doing due diligence and when he’s already made a decision. This is decided.

Criticism of Fernando Mendoza from “anonymous sources”

Fernando Mendoza Raiders Rob Parker
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Now, the anonymous ACC coach who spoke told ESPN that Mendoza doesn’t have NFL traits. Sure, whatever. Ever since I was secretly drinking beer in college, anonymous coaches have been misunderstanding quarterbacks. They missed Brees. Brady missed. Mahomes missed by a country mile. The track record of sinking anonymous scouts on top picks is, to put it mercifully, poor. And now we’re supposed to believe one of these guys as scripture because this quote fits the premise that Parker was already cooking in the chamber? No. I am well.

Kirk Morrison has been in the league for a long time. Morrison said Mendoza is the hardest worker he has seen in his years in college. Morrison’s name is on it. The other boy was not with him. Pick one for the ride.

Parker’s Tom Brady performance as Raiders owner is also ridiculous

tom brady las vegas raiders
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Then we get to Brady and this is actually where Parker offers his hand to me.

Brady ruined the Raiders. That’s his line. The attacker. Hugh Jackson. Dennis Allen. Del Rio. Give Gruden a run. McDaniels shot himself on the side of the road. Antonio Pierce. Pete Carroll for a year. The franchise that nuked itself every 20 months for 15 consecutive years. Brady reportedly ruined it.

Get out of here with him.

I will come equal to you. I’m not the guy who’s going to die defending Brady’s minority stake. The questions of how practical a part-owner should be are real, and the people I trust on this beat are asking them every week. We can do that column some other day. But the version of history where Brady torches a thriving operation? You have to forget that the last decade and a half of Raiders football even existed.

Brady was in Spytek’s room. In Kubiak’s room. In the room when the front office ultimately chose the quarterback they wanted, not the quarterback they got. He is not wasting anything. It’s someone who is finally aiming the gun in a direction that makes sense.

Raiders hot takes are just for clicks and attention

Rob Parker Fox Sports Mendoza

And here’s the thing about what Parker is doing. He is not analyzing the team. He is making a clip. He knows the word Raiders prints engagement. He pressed the button. The button worked. I’m at my desk on a Sunday at 9pm writing about him, so well, he won the day.

This does not mean that he is right.

Honestly a read on the 2026 Raiders is more boring than a viral clip. The spine is in reconstruction for the first time in forever. Spytech has done more in four months than in the four years of the last three regimes. Kubiak’s scheme needs to fit the bodies on the roster. A quarterback may be good, may be great, may spend a year on the bench and clipboard. I’m optimistic, but I’m not booking flights to Los Angeles. Cousins ​​are still cousins. The O-line is still a project. There is still a question mark on the receiver room. All of this is true at the same time.

But you don’t drop the word bust on the No. 1 pick in May because the TV schedule didn’t break out the way you wanted.

The kid hasn’t played a single snap.

Look at something. Then come find me.

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Bold Mehta Business Road; NYR is looking for the Vegas sniper?

The New Jersey Devils’ ownership was unwilling to compromise for the status quo. That’s why they parted ways with Tom Fitzgerald and brought in Sunny Mehta.

Now, this doesn’t mean that they brought Mehta in with the idea that he would replace Nico Hischier. However, he gave Mehta complete autonomy to do business as he wished.

So if Mehta really wants to differentiate himself from the status quo of the previous regime, he will have to find a way to accomplish what he could not. We will know more about it in the link below.

Elsewhere, a Blueshirts trade target, Philly and Matvey Michkov, and more.

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: So then, Mehta was brought in to separate. What better way to prove this than with a daring Quinn Hughes trade. Here’s how he might unite the Hughes Triangular force in New Jersey.

📺 devil’s rink report: It has been reported that Auston Matthews’ future in Toronto is uncertain. Well, some people have drawn attention to New Jersey in a potential franchise changing trade. In the latest video on Devils Rink Report, I break down the deal that’s received a lot of backlash online and weigh in on whether it makes sense.

Last week, we went live with immediate reaction after the draft lottery. The full episode can be found here 👇🏼

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NHL Trade Talk, News and National Hockey Now

Athletic ($): The Vegas Golden Knights say they got their swag back under John Tortorella on the way to eliminating the Anaheim Ducks and advancing to the Western Conference Finals.

Forever Blueshirts: This would also be a name to watch for the Devils if the Vegas Golden Knights can’t shut him down. Pavel Dorofeyev has proven to be a legitimate NHL sniper. Can the New York Rangers free him?

pittsburgh hockey now: Wayne Gretzky may be considered the best of all time in terms of professional hockey players. However, he trails only two Pittsburgh Penguins in CHL history.

Florida hockey now: Chris Knoblauch found out the hard way that being an NHL head coach isn’t a very secure job when the Edmonton Oilers fired him yesterday before the start of his three-year extension.

Philly hockey now: Forget the infamy of Matvei Michkov that Philadelphia Flyers fans believed was reality. GM Daniel Briere supported the young Russian by explaining the process and what would happen next.

Montreal hockey now: We’re heading into Game 6 after the Montreal Canadiens crushed the Buffalo Sabers last night.

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Anaheim Ducks eliminated after Game 6 loss to Vegas

The Anaheim Ducks’ season ended with a 5-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the Western Conference Second Round on Thursday night at Honda Center. Vegas won the series 4–2 and advanced to the Western Conference Finals.

Vegas has now reached the conference finals for the fifth time in nine seasons, a reminder of how quickly that organization has racked up playoff weight. For Anaheim, it was the end of its first postseason run since 2018.

There were just 62 seconds left in the game when Mitch Marner scored on a breakaway to give Vegas a 1–0 lead. William Karlsson sent him through with a long pass and Marner beat Lucas Dostal with a superb finish. Fast start. Bad sign.

CBS Sports reported that Marner played a role in all three of Vegas’ goals in the first period, and that the first period push largely shaped the night. Anaheim wasn’t saddled with a single bad rebound. It took three hits before Duck could regain his footing.

Brett Howden scored short-handed at 8:30 of the first period after taking a feed from Marner. This made the score 2-0 and made it doubly sad for Ducks fans because the team was on the power play.

NHL.com said Howden’s goal was his third short-handed goal of the playoffs, breaking the NHL record for most scored in a playoff game.

Shea Theodore made it 3-0 with 2:41 left in the opening period. Tomas Hertl won the offensive zone draw against Theodore and he beat Dostal with a wrist shot from the blue line.

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Anaheim Ducks at Vegas Golden Knights
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Granlund gives a little life to Anaheim

Mikael Granlund cut the lead to 3-1 with 7:14 left in the second period. This gave some hope to the team and fans.

Carter Hart stopped 31 of 32 shots, showing that the Ducks put enough pucks on net to make the game interesting, but not enough of them turned into real damage.

Any hopes ended in the third period as Pavel Dorofeyev scored twice. His first shot came just under three minutes into the frame after Ivan Barbashev forced a turnover and set him up in the right circle. His second came with 6:28 remaining, making the score 5–1.

A tough ending, but not an empty one

Vegas now travels to Colorado for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday, May 20. Anaheim is entering the offseason after a playoff run that ended hard, but he still showed growth.

From a Ducks fan’s perspective, it stings because the series had potential. Anaheim won Game 2. This was answered in Game 4. It forced overtime in Game 5. Then came Game 6, and Vegas looked like the older, faster team.

The ducks are here now. They’re closer than ever and being years away from the postseason, it still means something.

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#Anaheim #Ducks #eliminated #Game #loss #Vegas

Las Vegas Raiders tipped to pursue All-Pro pass-catcher

Most would agree that the Las Vegas Raiders have done a good job of rebuilding immediately and building a much stronger supporting cast for Kirk Cousins ​​and Fernando Mendoza than they did with Geno Smith last year.

While the offensive line has improved, questions remain at the pass-catcher position. Have the Raiders provided their new-look QB room with enough weapons?

Sports IllustratedEva Geitheim doesn’t think so, but she has a possible solution in mind. He believes the Raiders should try to sign free agent receiver Deebo Samuel.

“The Raiders haven’t invested any high picks in a receiver during this year’s draft, and need more help at the position. Deebo Samuel is no longer as explosive as he was at his peak, but he remained productive last season in Washington as he recorded 72 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns. New coach Clint Kubiak is familiar with Samuel, dating back to his time on the 49ers in 2023. “, making Las Vegas a perfect fit for the veteran wideout.”

SI’s Eva Geitheim on the Raiders signing Deebo Samuel

Samuel, a one-time All-Pro receiver, is still only 30 years old. While Samuel only recorded 727 receiving yards last season, that’s 31 more than any Raiders player in 2025.

He may not fit the profile of a No. 1 receiver, but there’s no doubt that Samuel could help provide a spark for the Raiders as a complement to Brock Bowers. The question is whether there is mutual interest in it.

Although Samuel has not been linked to another team, it is possible he would welcome the opportunity the Raiders could provide. The Raiders signed Jalen Naylor to a three-year, $35 million contract this offseason and expect him to be one of their premier pass-catchers. He will compete for targets with 2025 second-round pick Jack Beech, 2025 fourth-round pick Donte Thornton and Trey Tucker.

The Raiders may prefer to roll the dice on a young man they are developing into reliable playmakers. If that’s the case, they probably wouldn’t call up a veteran like Samuel. Still, if Las Vegas goes into camp and realizes their prospects aren’t quite ready for primetime, Samuel could be just what the Raiders need.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings: From the NFL’s worst starting QBs to the best

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Anaheim Ducks lose Game 5 heartbreaker in Vegas

The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in overtime on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena, taking a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven second-round playoff series.

Pavel Dorofeyev scored twice, including the winner four minutes into overtime.

Beckett Seneke scored on the power play with 7:24 left in the first period to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead. Less than four minutes later, Dorofeyev responded with a Vegas power-play goal, firing past Lucas Dostal from the high slot after Tomas Hertl’s earlier chance was blocked wide.

The second period remained scoreless.

At 4:48 of the third period, Hertl gave the Golden Knights their first lead of the night. Rasmus Andersson sent the puck toward the net, and Hertl found the loose puck before beating Dostal in the five-hole for a 2–1 Vegas lead.

This is sad for Ducks fans. Not because Anaheim was running out of rinks, but because the team was so in.

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Anaheim Ducks at Vegas Golden Knights
Stephen R. sylvany-imagen images

Zellweger gives Ducks a late chance

Olen Zellweger tied it 2–2 with 3:05 remaining in regulation, sending the game into overtime and giving Anaheim a real chance to steal Game 5. The Ducks have already shown that they can provide answers in this series. Game 4 proved that. This was another chance to put the pressure back on Vegas.

However, Dorofeyev won it in overtime after Jack Eichel kept the puck alive in the offensive zone. Eichel passed it to Dorofeyev, who took a bounce off Dostal’s pads and put the puck into the net for a 3-2 Vegas win.

NHL.com reports that Dorofeyev now has a career-high seven goals this postseason, while Eichel picked up his 14th assist in the playoffs. According to the same report, Eichel leads the league with six assists on game-tying goals this postseason.

Carter Hart stopped 34 of 36 shots and finished with a .944 save percentage, which tells you Anaheim had enough chances to win this game.

Game 6 gets simpler

Anaheim now goes home for Game 6 at Honda Center on Thursday, May 14. Vegas holds a 3-2 lead in the series, and the Ducks no longer have room for soft periods, loose innings, or missed chances on the man advantage.

From the Ducks fan side, Game 5 was brutal because it was winnable. Seneca scored. Zellweger arrived late. Anaheim shot 36 shots at Hart. Still, Vegas got the last surge, the last finish, and the series lead.

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Anaheim evens series with 4-3 win over Vegas

The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in Game 4 at Honda Center on Sunday night, tying the Western Conference Second Round series 2-2.

Cutter Gauthier had three assists, and the Ducks finally got a power play when they needed it most.

Beckett Seneca, Alex Killorn, Mikael Granlund and Ian Moore scored for Anaheim. Lucas Dostal made 18 saves, and the Ducks improved to 4–0 in these playoff losses.

Anaheim finally gets the man right

Anaheim went to the power play in the first period and Seneca scored past Carter Hart at 8:43 to make the score 1–0.

Seneca continues to advance in these playoffs. NHL.com reported that he joined Bobby Ryan as the only rookies in Ducks history to score in three consecutive playoff games. For a fan base that has been waiting for young talent to become real stars in the postseason, this is a very strong sign.

Vegas responded immediately. Pavel Dorofeyev equalized at 10:22 after Mitch Marner’s shot went loose near the crease. However, there is no panic from Anaheim. Granlund later put the Ducks ahead 2-1 after changing the direction of his shot and slipping it under Hart.

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Vegas Golden Knights at Anaheim Ducks
Corinne Votav-Imagen Images

Killorn’s goal changed the atmosphere

At 17:58 of the second period, Killorn banked the puck in from near the goal line for Anaheim’s second power-play goal of the night. This was the play that seemed most impressive. Vegas had tied the game on a goal by Brett Howden early in the period, and Anaheim needed a clean response before halftime.

Reuters reported that the Ducks were 0-for-11 on the power play in the series before breaking twice in Game 4. That’s no small change, it’s the kind of detail that can swing a series, especially against a Vegas team that doesn’t typically allow many second chances.

Ian Moore made a major contribution

Moore made it 4-2 at 3:43 of the third period with the goal-winner. Moore has played well in the last two games, which makes this moment even better. Not every playoff hero comes with the spotlight already on him.

Vegas continued to push late in the game. Tomas Hertl cut the lead to 4–3 with 1:04 remaining after the Golden Knights pulled Hart for an extra attacker. Marner finished with three assists, and after the game he had an NHL-leading 16 playoff points.

For Ducks fans, this was one of those games that gave hope for the rest of the series. The power play woke up, the kids contributed to it and the veterans helped stabilize it. Now it’s one of the best three, and Anaheim has made this series very lively.

Game 5 is on Tuesday, May 12 in Las Vegas and Game 6 is on Thursday, May 14 in Anaheim.

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#Anaheim #evens #series #win #Vegas

Las Vegas Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza faced criticism from anonymous coach — and it didn’t stop

Raider Nation is angry again as an unnamed ACC coach told ESPN this week that Fernando Mendoza doesn’t have “NFL qualities.” His receivers made him look much better than that. The back-shoulder thing won’t work in the league. Those throws get picked up in the NFL.

Before you get all upset and take it to the “national media” and take aim at the Raiders again, step back and think a little differently. This time, the media is doing the Raiders, Fernando Mendoza, and their fan base a favor.

Mendoza Criticizes 2025 Nothing Like Shedure Sanders Takedown

NFL: NFL Draft Day 3
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Read the anonymous quote a few times. Now ask yourself if this sounds familiar.

Necessary. Almost a year ago, anonymous sources spent the better part of three weeks publicly dismantling Shedure Sanders. Both situations are being framed as parallel cases of pre-draft and post-draft doubt. They are not the same. They’re not even close.

Watching the coverage of Shedure Sanders last season, it was a completely different animal. That effort, fairly or unfairly, was a constant drain on Sanders’ draft stock. Tom Pelissero reported that a longtime NFL assistant coach gave Sanders the worst formal interview of his career, said he behaved appropriately, and said he took unnecessary sacks, among other things. An AFC executive said that Sanders wanted to command the room. An NFC scouting director warned of culture shock upon hitting the real locker room. One scout told Athlon Sports he mailed it every step of the process. A former NFL evaluator went on record with a 26-game film study and an unattainable grade.

Sanders then fell to take 144. Which retroactively validated every anonymous shot taken at him.

This is what a real eviction looks like. multiple sources. Multiple angles. The football, the character, the preparation, the medicals, the whole circus. The criticism was of the story.

Criticism of Fernando Mendoza is an outlier

Fernando Mendoza Las Vegas Raiders
Candice Ward-Imagen Images

During the draft process, some people were skeptical of Fernando Mendoza and his ability to translate what he did at Indiana in 2025 to the next level. Don Orlowski’s criticism and critique was perhaps the most publicized example of this type.

This time, ESPN reports, only one coach took aim at Mendoza. a coach. A coach who last saw Mendoza at Cal in 2024, before his signature year and his incredible run to the College Football National Championship. This coach saw him First 41 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2025. They saw him before he became the runaway Heisman Trophy winner. Before he became that guy, four other coaches told the same ESPN reporter that he was either “one of the more complete quarterback prospects” they had seen or someone who “grows up” in those moments that you can’t teach.

Please read the coverage of the ACC coach’s quote and see how it is handled. Bleacher Report ran it ahead of the Big Ten coaches’ praise. Clutch Points called the criticism “a bit unfair”. Hoosier State of Mind kept the word “somehow” in the title. Just Blog Baby went with “completely ridiculous and not supported by its peers”. Comeback speculated that Kirk Cousins ​​might have “some credibility” before heading to the safety net.

No one is treating this as a Sanders moment. Outlets are running the quote so they can include it in the same article.

RELATED: Raiders rookie minicamp 2026: Fernando Mendoza already looks like a boy

Mendoza consensus is much more positive

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders Rookie Minicamp
Candice Ward-Imagen Images

That’s why the national media, coaches, former players and evaluators talk more positively than negatively about the Raiders’ new franchise quarterback. The wealth of evidence is there. If Fernando Mendoza had serious question marks like Sanders, you’d be hearing it everywhere, but he doesn’t. Mendoza was first in FBS in EPA per dropback last season, second in EPA per dropback on third and fourth downs. Ranked fourth in EPA when tied or trailing in the fourth quarter. He is just a clutch player and the visual evidence is overwhelming.

Mendoza played hurt against Ohio State, came back and won the Big Ten title. He scored the game-winning touchdown in the national championship game. ESPN’s draft scouting report, written by a former college quarterback, identified pocket movement as his real weakness. No back-shoulder throw.

This coward of an ACC coach, who last saw Mendoza at Cal, has some kind of ax to grind. This is clear. He is criticizing a player who no longer exists. 2025 Mendoza completed passes at a different clip, threw to a different level of receivers, ran a different offense, and was asked to do different things. Treating those two players as the same prospect is the analytical equivalent of evaluating a stock based on last year’s performance.

That doesn’t mean Mendoza is bulletproof or has proven himself in the NFL yet. In fact, he said as much at last week’s rookie minicamp. He knows he has to earn respect and admiration in the NFL by being the best quarterback he can be. Given his conduct, intelligence and track record, how can you doubt him?

As I’ve said before in this area, the Raiders need to develop a young quarterback. It remains to be seen whether this season’s impressive offseason moves and draft performance mean the organization is finally on the right track. The Raiders have unfortunately underperformed with talented players in the past. Inheriting the league’s worst offense by 2025 has a rookie quarterback to do the job, no matter what the consensus board said in April. But framing matters here. An opponent’s old decision is not a referendum.

Sanders had institutional doubts. Mendoza is a man with a chip on his shoulder.

If anything, this ACC coach trying to start a fire proved just how little fuel is needed.

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Acun Ilıcalı says McBurnie will score 25+ at Fener – reveals plans from Hull City to Las Vegas

Hull City boss Ekun Ilicali has promised his players a trip to Las Vegas if they make the Premier League and has backed Ollie McBurnie to shine in Turkey if he ever gets there.

News report comments from Ilikali today. He is dreaming of seeing his team reach the top flight, and is promising big rewards if they do.

Hull City’s Premier League dreams

Hull face Millwall in the play-off semi-final first leg at home on Friday, before the second leg at The Den next week. Then they will face Middlesbrough or Southampton in the final.

The Tigers entered the play-offs on the final day of the season as three clubs had a chance to secure the final spot on the day.

All three sides, Hull, Wrexham and Derby County, occupied the place at one point in the afternoon, but it was Ilicali’s side who took victory thanks to victory over Norwich City. They had to fall behind by one goal to get all three points.

Now they can reach the Premier League. And Ilikali is planning a huge reward if his players manage it.

“If Hull City are promoted to the Premier League, I’m sending the whole team on a private plane to Las Vegas. That will be their reward,” he said live on TV8.

Oli McBurnie’s praise

There was also time for praise for Ollie McBurnie, the undoubted star of this current Hull City team. It was his two goals that ensured Norwich’s victory and a place in the play-offs.

The 29-year-old has 17 goals and eight assists in 37 games in the Championship this season. This left him tied for second place in the top scorer chart with Hadji Wright and six behind Zhan Vipotnik.

However, Hull stars have more assists combined and a better goals per 90 ratio. Ilikali is a big fan, and is confident that he will shine in the Turkish Super Lig.

He said, “If Ollie McBurnie was at Fenerbahçe, he would not have scored less than 25 goals.”

“Whoever comes in front of him he scores. His specialty is that if the ball comes to him he scores. Some of the goals he scores are not natural goals

#Acun #Ilıcalı #McBurnie #score #Fener #reveals #plans #Hull #City #Las #Vegas

Las Vegas Raiders WR depth chart 2026: No obvious starter

Entering the NFL Draft, one of the Las Vegas Raiders’ biggest needs was at wide receiver. They selected a pass catcher – but not until the sixth round. While their draft has been praised, with good reason, the Raiders could not fill every need.

For a team that desperately needs an option for the future of quarterback Fernando Mendoza, waiting until pick No. 195 says a lot about where general manager Jon Spytek stands on the current roster. Let’s take a look at where the room stands and who could emerge as the playmaker they’ll need in 2026

Depth without a star: Breaking down the current receiver roster

NFL: Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders
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The Raiders used second- and fourth-round picks on Jack Beech and Donte Thornton Jr. last year. The two combined for 30 receptions and 359 yards as rookies – not exactly eye-popping. In fact, both will feel extra pressure as they enter training camp later this summer.

Additionally, Trey Tucker led the team with 57 receptions for 696 yards and five touchdowns in 2024 — a modest stat line that is a baseline, not a ceiling, under new offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak. Tucker’s speed is advantageous, but he hasn’t done anything to establish himself as a primary receiver during his career, even in the slot.

Free agency additions filled the depth chart without solving a key problem. Jalen Naylor, who spent time with Kirk Cousins ​​at Minnesota, averaged nearly 440 receiving yards with 10 combined touchdowns over the past two seasons as the fourth receiver behind Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and Jordan Addison. Not exactly WR1 type ability.

Derek Young, a special teams standout in Seattle, and veteran Phillip Dorsett — a Super Bowl champion who spent last season on Atlanta’s practice squad and hasn’t appeared in a regular season game in two years — round out the group. Cedric Jackson and Brandon Rice have the lowest NFL track records.

The room is versatile and well-rounded. It’s not deep with proven pass catchers.

Also Read: Las Vegas Raiders Draft Recap: Getting to know the picks including Fernando Mendoza

There is no clear No. 1 in sight for the Raiders

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
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No one has locked down the No. 1 spot yet and this is really an opportunity. The question is who steps up and runs Kubiak’s offense through them.

The dominoes begin to fall at the training camp. Chemistry with Mendoza and Cousins, learning Kubiak’s system, creating roles — it all gets sorted out between now and September.

Bech and Tucker are the likeliest candidates to lead the group, but don’t expect them to look like they did in Chip Kelly’s attack a year ago. The scheme is different, the quarterback is different and the opportunity in front of them is bigger.

Kubiak’s offense thrives on versatility. Last season in Seattle, Smith-Njigba was the engine, lining up outside, in the slot and in the backfield and turning jet sweeps into chunk gains. He was everywhere, and defenses couldn’t stop him.

The Raiders don’t have Smith-Njigba. But Tucker plays a similar style: fast, playful and dangerous in space. This makes him the most natural fit for that role in Kubiak’s system.

Without a true No. 1 receiver on the roster, Kubiak is betting on his current group for production. The blueprint is clear: Re-create Smith-Njigba’s versatility and production, with the pieces already in the building.

Also read: Las Vegas Raiders’ 2026 draft pick ‘May never play football again’

Malik Benson brings versatility, special teams value

Syndication: The Register Guard
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Malik Benson arrives in Las Vegas with legitimate production. He led Oregon with 43 catches for 716 yards and six touchdowns last season, lining up outside in the slot and turning touch passes into jet sweep gains — the exact type of versatility Kubiak is looking for.

Benson’s calling card is speed – he ran the 100-meter dash in 10.4 seconds in high school and it shows on tape. He cleanly tracks the deep ball at full speed, forces defenses to respect his vertical presence and creates separation without relying on 50/50 balls.

At Oregon, his intermediate and deep route production took a significant jump, and his catch rate increased while drops nearly disappeared. He’s not a short field weapon or run blocker, but in a system that wants to push the ball downfield, he can bend coverages in ways that benefit every receiver around him.

Benson will have opportunities not only on offense, but on special teams as well. He was the Ducks’ punt returner last year. He had a breakout season as a punt returner, totaling nine returns for 161 yards, including an 85-yard punt return touchdown.

He is not coming in and taking charge. But after roster cuts, there will be four months of reps talking.

ALSO READ: Las Vegas Raiders 2026 NFL Draft recap: Best class in years, but the wide receiver room still needs an answer

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Las Vegas Raiders’ 2026 draft pick ‘may never play football again’

The Las Vegas Raiders are set to make Fernando Mendoza the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But they also selected nine other players and overall their draft class was extremely successful.

Of course, we won’t know the true results of the Raiders’ 2026 draft class for another year, if not longer. Still, it’s never too early to draw some early conclusions.

According to some accounts, the raiders decimated their draft class. He also got some draft steals, but those also come with question marks.

Specifically, NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports suggested that there is a “chance” that fourth-round cornerback Jermod McCoy “will never play football again.”

Pauline wrote, “Cornerback Jermod McCoy was worth the upset in Round 4.” “There’s a possibility he’ll never play football again, and he could be sidelined until at least 2026, but if he returns healthy, it’ll be a bargain.”

McCoy entered draft day as a projected first-round pick. Nevertheless, reports from NFL doctors revealed that the Tennessee defensive back had a possible “degenerative knee condition”. This led some to wonder whether McCoy might slip to second.

Of course, McCoy’s draft freefall didn’t end until Day 3, when the Raiders made him the 101st overall pick. Still only 20 years old, it would be a major tragedy if McCoy never got a chance to showcase his talents on an NFL field, yet teams clearly had concerns about his knee.

RELATED: Las Vegas Raiders 2026 NFL Draft recap: Best class in years, but the wide receiver room still needs an answer

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Jarrell Miller calls out Deontay Wilder after tough win in Las Vegas eliminator

The outcome of Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Perrow set the stage for a new rivalry on April 25, 2026, as Jarrell Miller used the moment after the fight to knock out Deontay Wilder. Fighting at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas in a WBA eliminator, Miller won by unanimous decision with scores of 117–111, 117–111 and 115–113.

The win moved him to 28-1-2 with 22 knockouts, while Lanier Pero fell to 13-1. The fight itself was tough and physical, but the big story came after the final bell, when Miller made it clear he wanted Wilder to fight next, which he described as a great fight between the top American heavyweights.

Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Perrow result sets up Deontay Wilder callout

The result of Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Pero came after 12 rounds of close-range action. Pero started well and used his reach to land clean shots in the early stages. He controlled the distance and prevented Miller from going inside repeatedly in the beginning.

Miller remained patient and continued to move forward. He entered the fight weighing 305 pounds but maintained a steady pace. As the rounds progressed, they began to close the gap more and more. The fight turned into a physical exchange, with both fighters trading blows at short range.

By the middle rounds Miller began to take control. His pressure increased and he started landing heavy combinations. Pero’s pace slowed and the pace changed. The outcome of Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Pero became clear as Miller’s output remained higher in the later rounds.

Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Pero outcome driven by pressure and work rate

Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Perrow The result reflected Miller’s ability to keep up the pressure for 12 rounds. He landed over 1,000 punches, bringing the total to over 1,650 punches in the fight.

Pero continued to respond, but as the fighting progressed, his activity decreased. Miller remained active and kept working inside. His combinations were more effective in the later rounds and he controlled the pace. Both fighters showed fatigue late, but Miller finished stronger.

The judges scored the fight in his favor, confirming the impact of his volume and forward speed. The result of Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Perrow ended Perrow’s undefeated streak and put Miller in a strong position in the heavyweight division.

Jarrell Miller calls out Deontay Wilder after Las Vegas win

After the Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Pero results, Miller immediately focused on a potential fight with Deontay Wilder. He made his intentions clear in an interview and pointed towards the demands of the fans.

Miller said, “I think if the fans push hard enough for it the fight will happen.” “Everyone doubts me. They say he’ll beat me or knock me out, but there’s only one way to find out. He’s been knocked out several times. I haven’t. So let’s do that.”

Miller also highlighted the appeal of the matchup and what both fighters bring. “We are two top American giants and we can both attract attention,” he said. “My trash talk and his dramatic speeches and entrances will make it entertaining.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn supported the idea of ​​the fight and pointed to its potential impact. He said both fighters have knockout power and contrasting styles, which could attract strong interest.

Miller, now 37, plans to stay active and return soon. The Jarrell Miller vs. Lanier Perrow result has now directly called out Wilder, setting up a potential next step in the division.

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Las Vegas Raiders Final 7-Round Mock Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders have big decisions to make over the next three days. Of course, the first pick won’t be a tough decision, but general manager Jon Spitek has nine other selections after the first round, and he needs immediate contributors.

Last year, the Raiders added 11 new players to their roster. However, other than running back Ashton Jeanty, the class of 2025 had a very disappointing season. The previous coaching staff preferred veterans like Alex Cappa and Tyler Lockett over Caleb Rogers and Jack Beech or Donte Thornton Jr.

If this year’s class gets as much playing time as last year’s group, the Raiders could see tremendous growth.

Las Vegas is only a few hours away, arriving on time. In the meantime, here’s a final 2026 mock draft for the Silver and Black. These selections are based on how the team can meet roster needs.

RELATED: Final 2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting Round 1 with trades

Round 1, Pick 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

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The only lock in this year’s draft. Once the Raiders clinched the No. 1 spot in the standings, everyone knew they would turn their attention to Fernando Mendoza, who put on a show in front of the Raiders brass during the College Football Playoff.

General manager John Spitek could make changes to the card as the clock starts ticking on Thursday night. Mendoza will be the ray of hope this franchise needs to get back on the right path.

RELATED: Las Vegas Raiders 2026 NFL Draft: Jon Spytek’s 10 picks, 4 positions to pay attention to

Round 2, Pick 36: Jermaine Bernard, WR, Alabama

NCAA Football: CFP National Playoff First Round-Game 1-Alabama at Oklahoma
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According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden and Matt Miller, the Raiders will consider a second-round prospect who could help Mendoza at offensive tackle or wide receiver.

If that’s the case, the wideout is likely to have a more immediate impact by having a clear path to playing time on the field. Unless Las Vegas trades DJ Glaze, a rookie right tackle will have to compete with him for the job.

As rookies, Jack Beech and Donte Thornton Jr. played sparingly. Additionally, Spytek prepared him for former play-caller Chip Kelly’s offense. Offensive-minded head coach Clint Kubiak may want a different skill set or type of receiver for his system.

Jerami Bernard would be an ideal fit due to his ability to line up at all three receiver spots. Additionally, his experience in a motion-heavy offense should translate well to Kubiak’s scheme, which includes pre-snap movement to highlight mismatches.

Although Bernard does not have escape speed, he is difficult to bring down after the catch. More importantly, he rarely missed passes in college. Kubiak can finally rely on him as a reliable high-IQ playmaker to lead his receiver corps.

Round 3, Pick 67: AJ Holsey, S, LSU

NCAA Football: Texas A&M at Louisiana State
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AJ Holsey will provide the Raiders with the best of both worlds at safety. He can set the tone for the back end of the defense with bone-jarring tackles and forced turnovers in coverage.

Over the last two years at Houston and LSU, Halsey became a football magnet, recording eight interceptions and 12 pass breakups. He also played with controlled aggression and went the previous campaign without conceding a penalty.

Halsey is an all-around safety who can earn playing time immediately due to his ball skills. If necessary, he will line up on special teams while working his way up the depth chart.

Round 4, Pick 102: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State

NCAA Football: Iowa and Iowa State
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Domonique Orange’s skill set and recent experience is exactly what the Raiders need on their defense.

Defensive tackles Jonah Laulou and Tonka Hemingway should play more snaps in the upcoming season after getting four sacks each. Las Vegas needs the nose tackles to combat double-teams and stop the run.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Orange played the second-most snaps (412) in the A-gap among FBS players. The 6-2, 325-pounder could start on opening day at nose tackle in defensive coordinator Rob Leonard’s 3-4 defense.

Round 4, Pick 117: Travis Burke, OT, Memphis

NFL: Scouting Combine
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Although Glaze is the frontrunner to become the starting right tackle, he has had a disappointing sophomore season. He allowed 10 sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.

Yes, the Raiders’ previous coaching staff bears some of the blame for the poor offensive line play, however the new arrangement should not simply hand the starting job to Glaze. Spytek could add competition at right tackle.

Travis Burke has experience on both sides of the line, dating back to his time at Gardner-Webb. After playing left tackle for two years at Florida International, he joined the Memphis Tigers at right tackle in 2025.

If Burke is unable to beat out Glaze for the main spot at right tackle he could work his way into the swing tackle role.

Round 4, Pick 134: Ketron Allen, RB, Penn State

NFL: Combine
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Las Vegas is expected to sign a veteran running back after the draft. Najee Harris is still available. However, for now, Spytek can fill the RB2 role with an experienced ball-carrier.

Ketron Allen played four collegiate seasons and led Penn State for three of those tenures. He has three-down ability if he is able to complete his blocking assignments. The 5-11, 216-pounder caught 70 passes for 490 yards and four touchdowns with the Nittany Lions.

Kellon Black is a popular choice for the Raiders due to Mendoza’s Indiana ties, but Kubiak may prefer a bigger tailback similar to his previous RB2, Zach Charbonnet, who is listed at 6-1, 214 pounds. At 5-9, 208 pounds, Black is an undersized running back.

Round 5, Pick 175: Caden Curry, EDGE, Ohio State

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
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Max Crosby should be healthy for the upcoming season, though Spytek can’t ignore the wear and tear on the star’s body due to surgeries over the years. The team shut him down, in part, for his well-being so he could begin the recovery process from surgery on his meniscus.

All told, the Raiders need to improve their pass-rush depth. Free-agent acquisition Kwity Payne has the potential to line up at different positions, but Malcolm Cousins ​​will play on another one-year, prove-it deal.

While Caden Curry doesn’t have the versatility or athletic profile of a starting-round prospect at the position, the 6’3″, 257-pound defensive end could be an up-and-coming player. In his only season as a starter at Ohio State, he recorded 11 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss.

Round 6, Pick 185: Toriano Pride Jr., CB, Missouri

NCAA football: Alabama and Missouri
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Due to size limitations, Toriano Pride Jr. will likely be a late pick on Day 3, but if not for his 5-10, 185-pound frame, he could be a popular sleeper pick.

Pride played two years at Clemson and a few years at Missouri, recording four pass breakups and two interceptions in each of his last two collegiate seasons. He uses 4.32 speed to make up for his lack of size in coverage and tackles well in space.

Pride isn’t going to line up against elite receivers at the pro level, but he could have a future at safety or behind Terron Johnson.

Round 6, Pick 208: Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC

NFL: Combine
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Spytek discusses the mathematics of his security room, which only has three players.

The Raiders need to double down at the position. They may take a chance on Bishop Fitzgerald, who can contribute on special teams and bring ball production on the back end of the defense.

Critics will question Fitzgerald’s athletic profile, but that didn’t stop him from recording 24 pass breakups and 10 interceptions over the past two years at North Carolina State and USC.

Round 7, Pick 219: David Guesta, NT, Kentucky

NFL: Combine
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The Raiders end the draft with another 300-plus-pounder who can stop the run but is better as a pass-rusher than the Orange, who is projected to go in the middle rounds.

You need to look beyond the basic box score numbers to realize David Guesta’s playmaking ability beyond his run stopping ability.

According to Pro Football Focus, Gusta recorded 29 pressures with an 11 percent pass-rush win rate last season. He’s an intriguing late-round prospect who could carve out a three-down role in the defensive line rotation. In 2025, the Kentucky product played 258 snaps in the A-gap, according to PFF.

Maurice Moton covers the Raiders for the Silver and Black TODAY – Powered by Sportsknot. You can follow him on Twitter @momoton.

RELATED: 5 Las Vegas Raiders Whose April Minicamp Appearance Tells Us Everything

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Vegas loses puck luck battle, loses Game 2

las vegas- Lady luck was not on Vegas’ side as the Utah Mammoth (1-1) defeated the Vegas Golden Knights (1-1) 3-2 to tie the first-round series at one on Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena. Both teams took advantage of their opponent’s mistakes, but both teams also took advantage of some puck luck. In Game 2, it was Utah that had a little more luck on its side, otherwise it was a fairly evenly played game.

In an eventful first round, Lady Puck Luck was on the side of both teams. With Utah’s Logan Cooley held for interference, the Vegas power play began to work. Mark Stone (2) gained control of the puck low and attempted a cross-crease pass to teammate Tomas Hertl. However, instead of the puck reaching Hertl, it deflected off the skate of Utah defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and into the net at 11:42 of the first. It was Stone’s 12th career power play goal in the postseason, the most in Vegas franchise history, and his 43rd postseason goal overall.

Utah got a bit of a run of luck when they tied the game at one each. With 3:01 left in the first, McKenzie Weegar (1) took a shot from the point that bounced off Vegas defenseman Noah Hanifin, then off the stick of netminder Carter Hart, then off the right shin pad of Vegas defenseman Rasmus Andersen once again and past an unmarked Hart.

A total of eight penalties were called in the first period, five against Utah and three on Vegas. To no one’s surprise, five of the eight penalties in the first period were for roughing. The penalty box parade will continue to start the second period. At 2:27 of the second frame, Nick Dowd was whistled for tripping and the Utah power play went back to work. This power play was notable, not because of the Utah goal, but because of four Vegas blocked shots during the penalty kill, two of which seriously fouled Hanifin and Jeremy Lazaun, respectively. While both players were hobbled on the bench, they were both able to continue the game after some recovery time. Vegas would kill all four Utah penalties in the game.

Unsuccessful attempts by both teams resulted in the next two goals of the game. Four seconds after Utah killed another Vegas power play, the Mammoth took that momentum and then took their first lead of the night. Mitch Marner attempted to clear the puck from under his own goal line, but Utah defenseman Kyler Yamamoto was able to thwart the clearing attempt with his right glove and then completed a backhand, cross-ice pass to Dylan Guenther (1), who was positioned at the top of the left circle. He then fired a one-time blast that sent Hart high up to his stick-side. The goal came at 14:56 of the second minute, giving Utah a 2-1 lead. However, this gain will be short-lived.

Just 1:02 later, Ivan Barbashev (2) deflected a Sergachev pass attempt at center ice and then skated in a one-on-three, but somehow managed to dance past all three Utah players like the Bellagio fountain and then backhand over the glove of Utah netminder Karel Vejmelka to tie the game at two and that’s how the score stood until the second intermission.

The goaltenders took center stage in the third period, as both teams gave the opposing netminders a tough run, but each played brilliantly. However, late in the third, Utah was able to solve Hart for the third time through sheer tenacity. Guenther took a shot at Hart, then got his rebound and fired it off the post. As Guenther looked up to the sky in disbelief, his teammate Logan Cooley (2) swooped in and intercepted the rebound off the post and pushed it past Hart to put Utah ahead 3-2 with exactly six minutes left in regulation. With the goal, Cooley became the youngest American-born player to score in the first two playoff games of his career.

Vegas pulled Hart for an extra attacker and put some pressure on him late, but could not get the equalizer. Utah’s win is considered their first in franchise history as they were considered an expansion franchise after relocating to Utah from Arizona the previous season. While this was the first playoff win for Utah, it was the first regulation loss for Vegas under coach John Tortorella. Vegas was 8-0-1 since Tortorella became the new bench boss on March 30.

The series will now change venues to Salt Lake City’s Delta Center for Games 3 and 4. Game 3 will take place on Friday night and will be Utah’s inaugural home playoff game.

notes

  • The final shots on goal were 29–21 in favor of Utah.
  • The Hites defeated Utah 33–31.
  • Blocked shots also led to a 17–15 win in Utah’s favor.
  • The faceoff winning percentage was split equally at 50%.

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5 Las Vegas Raiders Whose April Minicamp Appearance Tells Us Everything

The Las Vegas Raiders voluntary veteran minicamp runs April 21-23, two days before the start of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. No one should come forward. That’s the whole purpose of calling it voluntary.

That’s why it matters so much who does it.

Clint Kubiak is a first-year head coach who inherits a roster that went 3-14 last season. He needs to know who bought him before he takes a single regular season snap. Players also know this. Coming to a voluntary camp in April, right before draft weekend, when the entire football world is looking elsewhere, is a statement. So stay at home.

Here are five Raiders whose appearance in April will tell us more than anything they said in a press conference.

1. Max Crosby

Max Crosby Las Vegas Raiders Minicamp 2026
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Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Crosby appeared for the first round of workouts on April 7, which was encouraging after everything that happened with the zero-Baltimore trade. But step one is meetings and raises. Minicamp is different. It’s on-field work and Crosby is still recovering from knee surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus.

His agent has said he is ahead of schedule. If Crosby is on the field, even in a limited capacity, on April 21-23, it sends a message to this locker room that goes far beyond his physical recovery. It tells every player on this roster that the guy with the most complaints about him is still the first one to come through the door. Kubiak can’t produce that kind of leadership. Either Crosby provides it, or he doesn’t.

RELATED: Las Vegas Raiders GM Jon Spytek, coach Clint Kubiak addressed Max Crosby trade fallout in NFL meetings

2. Tyree Wilson

Tyree Wilson Las Vegas Raiders
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This is the one I am watching most closely. Tyree Wilson is entering a contract year, after which the Raiders will almost certainly not pick up his fifth-year option. His draft stock coming out of Texas A&M was skyrocketing — No. 7 overall pick in 2023 — and it’s fair to say his first three NFL seasons haven’t matched that billing. He’s a rotational piece in a 3-4 defense that just added QT Pay and still keeps Crosby at the top of the depth chart.

Wilson showing up to a voluntary minicamp under a new defensive coordinator with his roster spot and his future on the line tells me he understands this moment. Staying at home will give me the opposite results. With Rob Leonard setting up a plan that requires buy-in at every level of the front seven, there’s no place to hide in this minicamp for anyone competing for snaps.

3. Cancer Cousins

Kirk Cousins ​​Las Vegas Raiders
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Kirk Cousins ​​is getting $20 million fully guaranteed to be a bridge in front of Fernando Mendoza. He reunited with his former coordinator Kubiak, and has said all the right things publicly since signing. But before Mendoza gets into the building, what Cousins ​​does over the next few months will define how that quarterback room really plays out in 2026.

Showing up next week and throwing to receivers, working through Kubiak’s system, getting comfortable in a new offense and a new city — that’s the veteran leadership the Raiders are paying him for. Cousins ​​knows how to be professional. This is where he proves it matters in Las Vegas, just like it did everywhere else.

4. Brock Bowers

brock bowers las vegas raiders
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Brock Bowers returned from a PCL injury last season and still had 64 catches, 680 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games. He is 22 years old and already one of the best players in football. This minicamp isn’t about Bowers proving anything — it’s about him and Cousins ​​starting to build that chemistry between him and Cousins ​​to really make Kubiak’s offense work before training camp in July.

Kubiak is an offensive coach who loves his tight ends. Bowers is the most important offensive weapon on this roster. They’re both building relationships early — in April, before most teams get anywhere near that kind of work — getting the kind of head start that pays off in September. Bowers is showing cases. Very.

5. Jackson Powers-Johnson

NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars at Las Vegas Raiders
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Here’s one that might surprise people. Jackson Powers-Johnson was a second-round pick in 2024 who began the season on injured reserve after breaking his fibula in training camp. He bounced back and played solid football in the second half of the year and now the addition of Tyler Linderbaum at center gives the Raiders arguably the best interior offensive line they have had in years.

But Linderbaum and Powers-Johnson never played together. Cousins ​​never played behind any of them. April minicamp is the first real opportunity for that unit to begin working as a group, even in a non-contact setting. Powers-Johnson being present and engaged, working through alignments, and getting comfortable with Linderbaum next to him makes sense for an offensive line that was historically bad in 2025 and needs to be dramatically better for this offense to work.

This draft will get everyone’s attention on April 23-25. But what happens in Henderson on April 21-23 will matter just as much for where this team goes. Voluntary does not mean unimportant. In Kubiak’s first year, it means quite the opposite.

RELATED: Las Vegas Raiders 2026 NFL Draft: 5 takeaways from Jon Spytek’s pre-draft press conference

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Tom Brady has a role with the Las Vegas Raiders, but Egon Durban’s $11 billion plan changes everything

Let’s make one thing clear before we proceed: Tom Brady matters to the Las Vegas Raiders.

His presence in the building is real, his involvement in football decisions is documented and his fingerprints are on everything this organization has done since becoming a minority owner in October 2024. Jon Spytek put it clearly: Brady is involved in everything football-wise and that includes the most important pick in franchise history coming up later this month.

But here’s the question no one in Raider Nation is asking out loud: When the dust settles on the Mendoza era, the Kubiak era and whatever comes after, who really owns this team?

Because that answer is being quietly written right now, and it has nothing to do with Tom Brady.

Brady’s role is real – but it has limits

tom brady las vegas raiders
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I will give credit where appropriate. Brady is more than a celebrity endorsement for the Raiders. Kubiak said he has been calling Brady frequently since getting the job, relying on him as a resource with a different offensive background. Spytek has openly credited Brady in the quarterback evaluation process, which is pretty important when you’re about to spend the No. 1 overall pick on a franchise signal-caller. When Adam Schefter appeared on the Pat McAfee show and was asked how Brady has been involved in all these offseason moves, the answer was clear – Brady didn’t find out about the Kirk Cousins ​​signing from a tweet. He was involved in this.

But Brady himself was clear about where his role actually ends. He is a limited partner. Mark Davis is the boss. There is no job description that comes with a minority stake, and Brady has openly acknowledged this. He wants to win. He wants to bring a winning culture to Las Vegas. He wants to be a part of something that lasts. They are real things and I believe he means them all.

What he is not, and cannot be in any practical sense, is the long-term answer to the Raiders’ ownership question. That answer is already in danger, and his name is Egon Durban.

The Durban angle is the story no one can quite connect with

egon durban las vegas raiders tom brady
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Last week at the NFL’s annual meeting in Phoenix, owners voted to approve the Raiders succession plan, formalizing what has been quietly building for more than a year. The NFL approved the sale of 3.5% of the team to Egon Durban at a valuation of $11.1 billion, with another 3.5% expected to follow – and the deal gives Durban the right of first refusal on Davis’ controlling stake if Davis decides to sell.

Mark Davis, who has no children, has said he has no intention of selling his majority stake. I believe what he says. But Davis is 70, and his mother, Carol, died last October. The NFL needs succession plans. And what was just approved doesn’t leave much to the imagination about how it will ultimately work.

Durban structured the deal with a right of first refusal that rules out every other bidder. If Davis or his successors ever sell, Durban gets the first call. A man. A phone call. An outcome is already written into the contract.

That is not a show. This is the biggest organizational story surrounding this franchise that isn’t Fernando Mendoza.

So where does Brady fit into all this?

Tom Brady Raiders owner Mark Davis
Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Brady owns 5% of the team. Durban already held a 7.5% stake before this latest deal and that figure is now moving towards a position that could ultimately mean controlling ownership. The two men were photographed together during the College Football Playoff National Championship in January. After news of the succession plan broke, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer summed it up in four words: “Egon Durban is Brady’s guy.”

That framing is worth sitting with. If Durban ultimately owns this team, and Brady is his guy, then Brady’s long-term impact with the Raiders isn’t just as a football consultant, and it may be as the minority voice most associated with the next principal owner.

It’s a different kind of power than what’s discussed in offseason press conferences. It is quieter, slower moving and obviously more consequential.

What this means for the Raiders’ rebuild

Clint Kubiak Raiders
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In the short term, it doesn’t change anything that happens in Pittsburgh on April 23, or what Clint Kubiak is building from this week in Henderson. Football decisions are being made by Spytek, informed by Brady and approved by Davis. The question of succession is background noise right now.

But Raider Nation needs to understand what’s really being built here, because it goes beyond the roster. Mark Davis created something real by moving this franchise to Las Vegas – an $11.1 billion franchise valuation does not happen without vision and execution at the ownership level. The question of who inherits it and what they do with it is one of the most important long-term stories in the NFL right now.

Brady gets the spotlight. Durban has a choice.

In Las Vegas, that difference matters.

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Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1…More about Scott Gulbransen


#Tom #Brady #role #Las #Vegas #Raiders #Egon #Durbans #billion #plan

What Clint Kubiak’s first day as Las Vegas Raiders head coach will tell us about their 2026 rebuild

The Las Vegas Raiders officially began their 2026 offseason schedule on Tuesday. No pad. No live representative. No, Fernando Mendoza is not taking pictures in the silver and black just yet. Just meetings, strength and conditioning work, and rehab of players coming back from injury.

Sounds boring, right?

it.

What happens in those first days, especially how Clint Kubiak runs them, will tell us more about the direction of this franchise than any free agent signing or mock draft projection. Culture doesn’t start in training camp. It doesn’t start with a draft. It starts now, in a building in Henderson, Nevada, with a first-year head coach trying to establish something this organization has lacked for too long: a coherent identity.

Kubiak has a chance to set the tone for whatever is to come this week. How he uses it is what matters.

Meetings are where culture is made – or broken

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders head coach Clint Kubiak introductory press conference
Kirby Lee-Images Images

Stage one is essentially a classroom stage. The players are in the building, they’re conditioning their bodies and they’re sitting in the meeting room. For Kubiak, it’s really an opportunity, not a limitation.

Every new coaching staff faces the same challenge in Year 1: Players are bringing habits, tendencies and, frankly, the baggage of whoever came before them (ahem, Pete Carroll!). The Raiders have had substantial coaching changes in recent years, with some of the veterans having seen this film before. They know how to nod in meetings and wait to see if the new guy is really different. Three coaches will do this to one player in three years.

Clint Kubiak really needs to be different.

This means that messages in those rooms may not be as normal this week. It can’t be “we’ll work hard and hold each other accountable” boilerplate. Raider Nation has heard it. The players in that building have heard it. What they haven’t heard, and what this organization hasn’t had for years, is a clear, specific, non-negotiable vision of how this team will operate. Just not aggressively. Just not in a planned manner. Culturally.

This is Kubiak’s chance to draw that line in the sand before even throwing a single ball.

Max Crosby sets the tone if Kubiak empowers him to do so

max crosby las vegas raiders
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Here’s something that isn’t discussed enough: Max Crosby’s presence in that building this week is just as important as Kubiak said.

Crosby’s trade with Baltimore was voided. He is an attacker. And does Kubiak still fully understand it, Crosby is the most important cultural asset he has. Not because of his rush numbers, although they speak for themselves, but because of what Crosby represents to every player who walks through that door.

He decided to stay. He could force his way out. He didn’t.

This means a lot in a locker room environment where players want to see who really believes in what is being built in Vegas. If Kubiak is smart, he’s leaning on Crosby in those early meetings. Not in a fanciful, “let’s cheer on the star” way — but in a genuine acknowledgment that the approach of the veteran leadership and coaching staff has to work in the same direction, or none of it will work.

A coaching staff that sidelines its own culture bearers in Year 1 is a coaching staff that is already behind.

What Kubiak’s approach says about his leadership style

Clint Kubiak Las Vegas Raiders
Mark J. rebilas-imagen images

New head coaches fall into two camps as the early offseason begins. Some people treat phase one as a formality, like getting bodies into the building, checking compliance boxes and saving the actual setup for OTAs and training camp. Others consider it the basis.

Given what Jon Spytek and the Raiders have built this offseason, Clint Kubiak can’t afford to treat this as a formality. They are having a voluntary veteran minicamp April 20-22, three days before the draft begins in Pittsburgh. That minicamp, combined with the first two weeks of Phase One, gives Kubiak about three weeks to establish the relational equity he’ll need when real competition begins.

Three weeks is not long. But it is enough to show the players what kind of head coach you are. Does he know their names before he knows your snap counts, do you walk the same way in the practice facility, are the cameras running or not, are the standards you preach the standards you actually enforce.

Attention is paid to those things. They are discussed. They go from veteran to young players faster than any plan.

All eyes are on Kubiak and the tone he sets

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders head coach Clint Kubiak introductory press conference
Kirby Lee-Images Images

Tuesday is the beginning of something. Is this the start of something real. Will this be a cultural change that will actually stick in Las Vegas or not? It depends on what Clint Kubiak actually decides to do these early, quiet, unnatural weeks.

The Raiders have plenty of big moments and bold announcements. What they’re missing is the foundation beneath all this.

The first phase is starting from Tuesday. Now the foundation is laid.

Scott Gulbranson is the editor-in-chief of our Silver & Black TODAY Las Vegas Raiders community, a member of the Pro Football Writers of America, and host of Silver & Black TODAY on 101.5 KDAWN in Las Vegas.

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Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1 … More about Scott Gulbransen


#Clint #Kubiaks #day #Las #Vegas #Raiders #coach #rebuild

Vegas Golden Knights, Marner beat Calgary Flames 6-3

It was a strange night for the Vegas Golden Knights and Calgary Flames, not because of the result, but because of how it all unfolded.

During the second intermission, the game was delayed for an unusual reason: a problem with the ice surface. Both captains, Mark Stone and Mikael Backlund, made several trips to the bench to observe conditions and talk to the referee.

Arena staff worked to fix the problem, while in-game entertainment continued while remaining consistent with the Las Vegas atmosphere. The delay lasted 26 minutes and disrupted the flow of an already back-and-forth game.

Despite this, the Golden Knights remained perfect under head coach John Tortorella, and continued the momentum late in the season, going 34–26–16 and defeating the Flames 6–3.

Calgary opened the scoring with Morgan Frost scoring her 19th goal of the season. Frost had time and space and defeated Carter Hart cleanly. Hart finished the game with an .864 save percentage and 3.00 goals-against average.

The Golden Knights responded and Mitch Marner deflected Shea Theodore’s shot to tie the game at 1–1.

Less than three minutes later, Blake Coleman restored Calgary’s lead. After Theodore pinch hit, the Flames went on a two-on-one and Coleman beat Hart’s blocking side.

However, Marner struck again, scoring his second of the night and 22nd of the season, with a neat passing sequence to Jack Eichel and Rasmus Andersen.

Before the second period ended, Coleman scored his second goal of the game for Calgary. But once again, the Golden Knights found a response. Pavel Dorofeyev scored his 35th goal of the season on the power play. He is now eighth, surpassing the franchise record of 43 set by William Carlson in 2017–18.

After two unexpected periods and long delays, the third belonged to the Golden Knights. Brett Howden gave the Golden Knights their first lead by scoring on a rush and beating Dustin Wolf.

Shortly after, Wolf misplayed the puck behind his own net and Ivan Barbashev took advantage to extend the lead to 5–3. Marner later sealed it, earning a hat trick and leading the Golden Knights over the Flames.

Head coach John Tortorella is now 2-0-0 with the Golden Knights and is looking to get the team back on track.

The Golden Knights will look to continue their winning ways against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night as they begin a four-game road trip.

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Cooper Krigbaum is a beat reporter covering the Vegas Golden Knights for Vegas Hockey Now on SportsNut. He also told about Cooper Krigbaum

#Vegas #Golden #Knights #Marner #beat #Calgary #Flames

Las Vegas Raiders GM Jon Spytek, coach Clint Kubiak address Max Crosby trade fallout in NFL meetings

For the first time since the failed Max Crosby trade, Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spitek and head coach Clint Kubiak publicly addressed the fallout — and both looked like men who came out the other side just fine.

At the NFL’s annual league meetings in Phoenix this week, the two spoke candidly about the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end and what the chaotic sequence of events at the start of free agency ultimately meant for the franchise.

Las Vegas Raiders GM gets an ‘elite’ member during free agency

NFL: Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders
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Earlier this month, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on March 6 that a deal was underway to send Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round draft picks. The new league year was required to start on 11 March before the deal could be made official. But before that could happen, Baltimore backed out – citing concerns about Crosby’s surgically repaired knee – and the pass rusher returned to the silver and black.

The timing of that reversal didn’t disrupt the team’s offseason plans as much as it might seem, Spytek said.

“Just the timing of it, it didn’t really happen,” Spytek said. “We did what we did on Monday, and that was Tuesday when it all happened. We had a lot of cap space and a lot of cash was provided to us by Mark [Davis] And the ownership group has to be aggressive and build the team in the best way possible. I’ll echo what Clint said – the way it worked out, it was like we got another elite defensive end in free agency.

Those signings — notably center Tyler Linderbaum and edge rusher Qwity Paye — came during the legal tampering window, just before the Ravens pulled the plug.

Development of a General Manager

NFL: Scouting Combine
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Crosby has seen a parade of general managers and head coaches come through the organization since being drafted in 2019. Spytek, who has worked to build trust with his star player from the beginning, said communication between them has never stopped.

“I have had many great conversations with Max since the beginning of his tenure here and we have had many great conversations throughout the season,” Spytek said. “We had a deal at the end of the season, which everyone knows about. We talked about it in the months leading up to the deal. Max and I have continued to have good conversations since. I know he and Clint have had good conversations, too. We just try to tell each other the truth and not have a lot of secrets or unknowns. Max, Clint and I will continue to work that way.”

Spytek also talked about the importance of making those difficult roster decisions – ones that impact players beyond the football field.

“Those are all challenging conversations,” Spytek said. “I try to sit down with that person in that moment and explain the reasons why we’re doing it, and try to be as honest and candid as I can. For me, those are all deeply personal conversations because you know how deeply it affects that person. I don’t just see them as a player. This is changing their lives.”

Also Read: Mark Davis Isn’t Selling the Raiders So Stop Acting Like He Is

Kubiak: “Our team is better now”

NFL: Super Bowl LX-Seattle Seahawks at New England Patriots
Mark J. rebilas-imagen images

Kubiak came to Las Vegas after helping Seattle win the Super Bowl last month, giving him a compressed timeline to assemble his coaching staff — all while watching this trade saga play out in real time.

He didn’t hide how he felt when Spytech told him the deal was off.

“Anytime there’s a trade, you always know there’s a downside to it,” Kubiak said. “Once it happened, I was really excited. When Spy came and talked to me about it, we sat down and my first thing was to smile. ‘Oh, we have Max back. Are you kidding me? It’s great.’ “Our team has gotten better.”

With the signing of Paye, Malcolm Koonce retained, and Tyree Wilson still on the team, Las Vegas enters 2026 with legitimate depth along the defensive line. Crosby’s return only solidifies what was already shaping up to be a priority area.

One remaining question is whether Crosby will be in the reckoning immediately when the regular season opens. He had meniscus surgery in January and is not expected to make a full recovery until this summer.

“These are things we have to work on,” Kubiak said. “We have to get him healthy enough to practice. I know he’s going to put himself in great condition to do that, and we’ll probably have conversations about that as we move forward. Just taking small steps right now.”

The coach did not seem worried about the deadline. He’s seen how Crosby works.

“Max is our guy. He’s the leader on defense.”

Also Read: Las Vegas Raiders: 5 second round pick options for GM John Spytek

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Braven Honda graduated from San Diego State with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism in May 2021. During his time at SDSU, … More about Braven Honda

#Las #Vegas #Raiders #Jon #Spytek #coach #Clint #Kubiak #address #Max #Crosby #trade #fallout #NFL #meetings

Las Vegas Raiders tipped to add Pro Bowl QB in Mendoza as bridge starter

Overall, the Las Vegas Raiders are preparing to make Fernando Mendoza the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s even reportedly already learning the offense from Brian Griese, who has overlap with first-year Raiders head coach Clint Kubiak on the 49ers in 2023.

Still, Mendoza is not expected to be the Raiders’ Week 1 starter. Las Vegas would love to find a bridge QB who can hold down the starting job until they determine the Heisman winner is ready for the job, no matter how long that takes.

recently, athleticSaad Youssef gave an idea of ​​who that QB could be. He plans to sign free agent Kirk Cousins ​​for the Raiders.

The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback wants an opportunity to play in 2025 after being limited to just eight starts. That opportunity could come in Vegas, where he would be an ideal veteran mentor for a rookie QB.

Cousins ​​not only has 14 seasons of NFL experience, but he spent the first three seasons of his career largely as a backup, starting only nine games in that time. Mendoza’s career certainly won’t start off the same way, but that doesn’t mean he can’t learn a lot from Cousins ​​early on.

Ultimately, Cousins ​​and the Raiders could be a perfect fit. He gets a chance to play (even if there’s no guarantee he’ll play for long), and they make sure a talented veteran who isn’t afraid to work can help coach their young franchise QB.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: End of March edition

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Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

#Las #Vegas #Raiders #tipped #add #Pro #Bowl #Mendoza #bridge #starter

Las Vegas Raiders mourn tragic loss of star from Super Bowl team

The Las Vegas Raiders were already dealing with a difficult offseason when they suffered another blow. On Friday morning, the Las Vegas Raiders shared heartbreaking news on Twitter, announcing the passing of Barrett Robbins – a player whose story went far beyond the field.

Born on August 26, 1973, in Houston, Texas, Robbins was selected in the second round by TCU in the 1995 NFL Draft out of Sharpstown High School. In eight seasons with the Raiders, he anchored the offensive line with consistency and patience, appearing in 121 games and starting 105. During his tenure, the Raiders led the league in scoring in 2000 and total offense in 2002.

Robbins wasn’t just a reliable presence in the trenches – he was one of the league’s elite at his position. By 2002, he was in the midst of a Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro campaign, and snapped the ball for one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses.

Before Super Bowl XXXVII, Robbins went missing just one day before kickoff. When he resurfaced, he was confused, unable to recognize where he was or who he was with. What initially seemed incomprehensible was later understood in a more serious light.

Robbins was misdiagnosed with depression during his college years, when he was actually struggling with bipolar disorder. In the crucial week before the Super Bowl, he did not take his prescribed medication. He was ultimately suspended for the game by head coach Bill Callahan.

He returned briefly in 2003 to reclaim his starting role, but his NFL career ended abruptly after a suspension for performance-enhancing substances. He never played another match in the league.

In the years that followed, Robins’ struggles continued off the field. Battles with mental health and substance abuse led to multiple arrests, stints in jail, and spending time in rehabilitation facilities. His life after football became a difficult cycle, highlighting how little support systems once existed for players facing these challenges.

The passing of Barrett Robbins is undeniably tragic. But more than that, it serves as a sobering reminder: behind the helmets and highlight reels, there are real people fighting real battles. His story highlights the vital importance of mental health awareness in professional sports. Because taking care of the mind is as important as taking care of the body, on and off the field.


#Las #Vegas #Raiders #mourn #tragic #loss #star #Super #Bowl #team

Bam Adebayo’s ‘second home’ enters on potential Las Vegas, NBA expansion

Bam Adebayo hails Las Vegas as “second home” As NBA expansion discussions heated up this week, the NBA is moving forward with plans to add franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle.

According to ESPN, the NBA Board of Governors has approved a vote to formally begin exploring expansion in the two markets, an important step toward potential league growth. Shortly after the news, Adebayo spoke with reporters about the possibility of playing in Las Vegas.

“If I get a chance to play in Vegas, I get to go to my second home a little bit, so that will be nice.”

Adebayo’s ties to Las Vegas extend beyond basketball. He has been in a relationship with A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces for over a year, which has linked him to the city that has become a growing hub for professional sports.

When asked if Las Vegas could support an NBA team the same way fans support the Aces, Adebayo pointed to the unparalleled loyalty already established within the WNBA fanbase.

“I can see them supporting me like that. I don’t know about any other team. It’s a good thing because the Aces fans are really true to the Aces, so I don’t know how it’s going to happen. If they start winning like the Aces, maybe.”

Bam Adebayo’s arrival in Las Vegas leads to Heat’s climb up the East standings

Buoyed by the success of hosting the NBA Summer League and recent NBA Cup championship events, Las Vegas has emerged as a leading candidate for expansion along with Seattle. The city has also demonstrated strong support for other major franchises in the NFL, NHL and WNBA.

For now, Adebayo’s focus remains on the Miami Heat and their effort to build momentum heading into the season. Miami currently sits in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings at 38-34 after a five-game losing streak, including a 136-111 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

The 28-year-old continues to power the Heat on both ends of the floor as the team tries to climb the Eastern Conference standings. Miami is 2.5 games behind the fifth-seeded Toronto Raptors (40-31).

Miami begins a two-game road trip against the Cleveland Cavaliers (45-27) on Wednesday at 7:30 PM ET and then face them on Friday night at 7:30 PM ET on NBA TV.


#Bam #Adebayos #home #enters #potential #Las #Vegas #NBA #expansion

NBA commissioner Adam Silver claims Las Vegas, Seattle expansion still ‘can’t happen’

The NBA Board of Governors approved a vote Wednesday to explore the possibility of adding two new expansion franchises specifically in the Las Vegas and Seattle markets, the league announced.

As part of the standard process for exploring expansion, the NBA will evaluate all aspects of each potential market, including hearing proposals from potential ownership groups that want to start an expansion franchise.

As the vote was finalized with NBA governors and stakeholders in New York on Wednesday, Silver addressed the ongoing speculation about what the expansion means for the league as a whole. While Silver was clearly very optimistic about the expansion aspect in his press conference, he also made it clear that nothing is a given when it comes to this topic.

“There’s absolutely a possibility that we may not be able to expand. That’s why we were careful to say ‘explore the process.’ It’s also possible that we may expand into one market and not two. For two, or zero markets,” Silver said.

There is much more to a potential expansion than just the formation of a new franchise, and Silver acknowledged as much in his press conference in New York City on Wednesday afternoon.

In terms of why a level of skepticism still exists for the possibility of a Las Vegas and Seattle expansion, the NBA Commissioner explained that owners would still need to approve the final transaction, and real-world issues that arise could potentially push back the timing of the final expansion.

Silver said, “Why that might not happen, at least standing here today, I don’t see anything in the relatively short-term future of this league that would indicate that there wouldn’t be a lot of interest in those markets and the board would continue to be supportive going forward. I should say, at the right time, it would require three-quarters of the owners supporting it.” “But we will not be moving forward at this step, and in fairness to interested parties, that was one of the reasons we wanted to make this formal announcement, because wherever those prices land, it is a huge undertaking.

“Normally, it’s not just a single owner. It’s a group that requires financing, arena planning, etc. So, where the uncertainty for me lies in the issues outside the league. There is huge instability in the world at the moment, and we may ultimately conclude for reasons completely out of our control that it is not the right time to expand. That is something we should postpone and revisit at a later time.

“That’s really our warning.”

A potential final vote for expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle will be held later this year, which would officially take the league from 30 to 32 teams. In doing so, a team from the Western Conference would move into the Eastern Conference to balance the league at 16 teams on the opposite end.

It is expected that either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Memphis Grizzlies will move east, with the Timberwolves seen as the likely favorite in this scenario.

As the formal expansion process officially begins, further updates on NBA expansion will be provided by Silver and the league office at a later date.


#NBA #commissioner #Adam #Silver #claims #Las #Vegas #Seattle #expansion #happen

Board of Governors approves league expansion votes for Las Vegas, Seattle

The NBA Board of Governors has approved a vote to explore the possibility of adding two new expansion franchises specifically in the Las Vegas and Seattle markets, as first reported by ESPN.

As a result of approving this vote, the bidding process to launch expansion franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle will officially begin, and is expected to generate offers in the $7 billion to $10 billion range for each new franchise.

The process will involve the NBA along with investment bank PJT Partners as a strategic advisor to evaluate potential markets, ownership groups, sector infrastructure and the macroeconomic implications of the expansion.

“Today’s vote reflects our board’s interest in exploring potential expansion in Las Vegas and Seattle – two markets with long histories of supporting NBA basketball,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in the league’s press release. “We look forward to taking the next steps and engaging with interested parties.”

The idea of ​​NBA expansion is no longer a consideration, as the board has officially begun the process of a 32-team league, with high-ranking executives telling ESPN that it’s a matter of “when, not if.”

At this time, there is no timeline for potential expansion bids to be evaluated or accepted, but given the amount of interest there is in these markets for NBA expansion, the process is expected to move quickly.

There was growing momentum among NBA board members, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, and members of the league office to approve this notion of expansion, especially with the revenue generated by new teams in Las Vegas and Seattle.

A potential final vote for expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle will be held later this year, which would officially take the league from 30 to 32 teams.

If Seattle makes a bid and is accepted, the NBA would welcome the return of the Seattle SuperSonics, who were disbanded when the franchise moved to Oklahoma and became the Oklahoma City Thunder.

If the SuperSonics were to return, all of their records and team history would be handed over to them by the Thunder, who do not already recognize the previous team’s success as their own.

Along with Seattle, Las Vegas has long been viewed as the next stomping ground for a new NBA franchise, especially considering how long the league has been doing business with the city.

Not only has the NBA Summer League been held in Las Vegas during the offseason since 2004, but the NBA Cup has also held its semifinal and final rounds in Las Vegas since beginning in 2023.

The WNBA moved its San Antonio franchise to Las Vegas in 2018, becoming the Las Vegas Aces, and the NHL established the Las Vegas Knights as an expansion team in 2016.

MLB also officially announced the relocation of the Oakland Athletics to Las Vegas in 2023, and they are building a new $2 billion stadium that is expected to be ready for the 2028 season.

With the NBA officially taking the next step to add two new franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas, the conversation has now turned to which current Western Conference franchises will move to the Eastern Conference to balance the league at 16 teams per conference.

It is expected that either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Memphis Grizzlies will move east, with the Timberwolves seen as the likely favorite in this scenario.


#Board #Governors #approves #league #expansion #votes #Las #Vegas #Seattle

Nevada lawmakers make feelings clear on potential Las Vegas expansion

Momentum continues around potential NBA expansion and Nevada lawmakers have made their stance clear in support of bringing a franchise to Las Vegas.

According to a report from FOX5 Vegas’ Rachel Zalucki, Nevada’s congressional delegation sent a letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver urging the league to choose Las Vegas as an expansion destination. The letter, dated March 19, 2026, was signed by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, as well as Representatives Dina Titus, Mark Amodei, Susie Lee and Steven Horsford.

“The March 19, 2026 letter was signed by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, as well as Representatives Dina Titus, Mark Amodei, Susie Lee and Steven Horsford. The lawmakers urged Silver to consider Las Vegas’ 20-year partnership with the NBA through hosting Summer League and NBA Cup championships.”

The letter reads in part, “As you consider the future of the NBA, we urge you to build on the league’s local momentum by selecting Las Vegas as a site for a future league franchise.”

Las Vegas has emerged along with Seattle as one of the leading candidates for expansion as the NBA prepares for next week’s Board of Governors meeting, where an initial vote on expansion is expected.

Las Vegas’ sports success and NBA ties strengthen the case for expansion

In their letter, the lawmakers also pointed to the city’s success with other professional sports franchises as evidence of its readiness for an NBA team. He highlighted the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, a three-time championship-winning franchise, and the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, which won the Stanley Cup in 2023.

Las Vegas has also maintained a long-standing relationship with the NBA, hosting the Summer League each year and serving as a site for recent NBA Cup championship events.

As expansion discussions continue, the league is considering both market feasibility and long-term growth opportunities. The unified effort by Nevada lawmakers underscores growing support for Las Vegas as the NBA evaluates its next step.


#Nevada #lawmakers #feelings #clear #potential #Las #Vegas #expansion

LeBron sets the record straight on Las Vegas expansion rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James is not part of any group bidding for an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas. The rumors arose when James’s Fenway Sports Group was initially reported to be considering a bid for a Las Vegas expansion team. The city, along with Seattle, has emerged as a leading candidate for one of two new NBA franchises.

Although FSG has rejected an extension that is reportedly set to cost up to $8 billion per team, James has publicly stated that he is not part of any group bidding for a Las Vegas team, according to a post on X by ESPN’s Tim McMahon.

“No, I’m not. Not at all,” James said.

LeBron, who has a net worth of more than $1.4 billion, will undoubtedly need a team of investors to take charge of an NBA franchise. However, with FSG reportedly backing out, it is now considered “less likely” that LeBron will pursue franchise ownership.

Regardless, as things stand, the NBA Board of Governors is continuing discussions, with a formal decision expected in 2026 and a potential launch timeline of the 2028-29 season. Las Vegas has emerged as a primary expansion market due to its established presence in major professional sports.

The city currently hosts teams in the NFL, NHL and WNBA, with an MLB franchise set to relocate there. The NBA has also had a consistent presence in Las Vegas through its Summer League, which has drawn more than 136,000 fans over 11 days.

Of course, LeBron James and FSG are no strangers to owning major sports teams. James’s association with the group has given him partial ownership in several franchises such as the Boston Red Sox (MLB), Liverpool FC (Premier League), RFK Racing (NASCAR), and the New England Sports Network (NESN).

The Lakers superstar and his partner Maverick Carter previously became partners in the group in 2021. However, James’ ambitions of owning an NBA franchise currently appear to be on hold, due to FSG reportedly refusing to meet the asking price.


#LeBron #sets #record #straight #Las #Vegas #expansion #rumors

10 Las Vegas NBA Team Name Ideas As The Franchise Gets Even Closer To Reality, Including The Sinners

With the NBA doing big business over the past few years, the idea of ​​expansion is a topic that has gained a lot of momentum. While many American cities would love to get an NBA franchise, Seattle and Las Vegas have long been favorites to win the sweepstakes.

Well, this week, the pair of cities took another big step closer to becoming a reality when ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the league’s Board of Governors will soon vote on exploring the idea of ​​putting franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas starting in 2028.

It’s a sure bet that this Northwestern team will be a revival of the SuperSonics. However, the Las Vegas club will need an entirely new brand. With that in mind, we present some fun, funny, and logical ideas for what the new NBA team in Las Vegas should be called.

las vegas dry heat

las vegas
Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Las Vegas is located near several Nevada deserts, including the Mojave. The dry climate is a major part of living in the city. So why not play with that regional specialty? It’s already summer in Miami due to the hot and humid temperatures in South Florida. Maybe Las Vegas needs to bring the NBA the Dry Heats.

las vegas blackjack

las vegas
Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Las Vegas grew from the Nevada desert to become one of the biggest tourist attractions on Earth as a top destination for entertainment and gambling. It’s possible that a new NBA team could get a nickname related to their highly successful casino. Since blackjack is one of the most popular casino games on the planet, Las Vegas Blackjack is the favorite sports bookmaker to become the club’s ultimate nickname.

las vegas sinner

Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Many major cities around the world have funny nicknames. Las Vegas is one of the best when it comes to being called Sin City. The wild things that happen there are why locals have long used the phrase, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” Why not play on that popular name and go with Las Vegas Sinners? A logo featuring a cute devil with a basketball could turn their merchandise into some of the most popular in sports.

las vegas bighorns

las vegas
Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Sports fans are accustomed to naming animals after their favorite teams. Las Vegas could be no different. That’s why one local mammal that can end up on their Jerseys is the bighorn sheep. The bighorn is the official state animal and can be turned into a very scary looking team logo.

las vegas gambler

las vegas
Credit: USA TODAY Sports

As mentioned earlier, the casino business is what has made Las Vegas one of the top cities in the United States. So let’s not shy away from this fact and consider the Gamblers as a possible name for the team. Oddly enough, they would not be the first major pro sports team with this name as one of the current franchises of the UFL is the Houston Gamblers.

las vegas sidewinders

las vegas
Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Going back to the idea of ​​using animals as the name of the city’s new NBA team, another interesting option would be Sidewinder. This snake is famous for its “S-shaped” sideways movement across the dunes in the Mojave Desert. Just like a star player has to make his way through the opposing defense. Snakes are great for logos, and this new franchise will corner the market for them in the NBA.

las vegas strippers/strips

las vegas
Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Even if you don’t live in the city, people across America know about the Las Vegas Strip. Why not play up that aspect of the city and call the team the Las Vegas Strips or the Strippers? It’s certainly different than anything seen in pro sports, and for fans dominated by mostly men, perhaps the name might bring up some positive thoughts about some time off after work.

las vegas jackpots

las vegas
Credit: USA TODAY Sports

As mentioned earlier, there is a strong possibility that this new franchise will get a casino-related name. If the ultimate owners of the club do not like gamblers or blackjack, jackpots can be another option. Slot machines are one of the most popular casino games in the world, and who doesn’t love a jackpot?

las vegas 702s

las vegas
Credit: USA TODAY Sports

In an era where people like to reflect where they are from by removing their city area code, another name would likely be 702. Sports fans are familiar with the 76ers and 49ers, so a number for the name is not unusual. Additionally, repeating the entire city, rather than some elements of it or the state, would be a refreshing way to approach the team name.

las vegas lebron/brony

las vegas
Kirby Lee-Images Images

It’s no secret that there’s a real possibility that LeBron James could own a new NBA franchise in Las Vegas. And he understands the immense value of his brand and unique name. He even passed it on to his son Bronny and got him drafted by the Lakers a year ago. Maybe he should take things a little further and put it on his team. The Las Vegas LeBron’s will be equal parts unique and hilarious.

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$7-10 billion Las Vegas, Seattle expansion teams aim for 2028

After operating as a 30-team league for decades, the NBA is betting on adding two franchises by the 2028-2029 season, with Las Vegas and Seattle the clear leaders.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, a vote will be held next week on the possibility of expanding the league to 32 teams.

“The pace for stakeholders to approve the survey is based on what industry executives will bid in the range of $7 to $10 billion for each team,” Charania said.

“If the bids reach the required threshold the 32 teams will have a potential final vote at the end of the year to finalize the transaction. In both voting rounds, 23 of the 30 governors would have to vote in favor.”

There have been long-running discussions about starting a team in Las Vegas, with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James even rumored to be one of the owners, as it has rapidly emerged as one of the biggest sports cities in the country.

A return to Seattle, meanwhile, would restore the NBA to one of its hottest markets. The Seattle SuperSonics played in the league from 1967 to 2008 and won the title in 1979, before the franchise became the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Of course, there are logistical issues to discuss, including accommodating conferences and schedules. Some, including Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, have argued that the NBA needs to reduce its games, and adding two more teams could do the opposite.

As the league continues to grow in popularity and globalization, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has often stressed the need to innovate and adopt reforms, emphasizing that expansion has always been a consideration.

The next few days will be important for the future of the NBA.


#billion #Las #Vegas #Seattle #expansion #teams #aim

10 Best NASCAR Drivers After Las Vegas

The Pennzoil 400 marked the fifth points race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, providing the third winner to this point. We also saw some of NASCAR’s best drivers perform very well at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, resulting in things getting a little closer to normal in the weekly rankings.

Let’s take a look at our latest NASCAR Power Rankings coming out of Las Vegas.

1. Tyler Reddick (First: 1)

NASCAR Power Rankings
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagen Images

Tyler Reddick dropped out of the top 10 for the first time this season, finishing 13th in the Pennzoil 400. However, he scored record points in both stages, before the No. 45 car suffered a slight decline after the final pit stop. Despite his worst season finish, Reddick still tied for the fourth-most laps led (112) among top-10 (four) and top-5 (three) teams in the Cup Series and the top average finishing position in the Cup Series (4.8). Reddick is currently ranked No. 1 in the NASCAR Power Rankings, but he’s now in a position where he could be overtaken by Darlington.

RELATED: NASCAR standings after Las Vegas

2. Christopher Bell (First: 4)

NASCAR Power Rankings
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagen Images

Making it three consecutive top four finishes for Christopher Bell. The No. 20 car did not have the same pace as teammate Denny Hamlin, but Las Vegas consistently scored over 50 points with Bell taking the stage win. Bell did not just lead the Cup Series in laps (225); He is the first driver to complete 200 laps this season and has tied Reddick for the longest streak of top-5 finishes (three) this year. The disastrous performance at Daytona (35th place, 3 points) seems like a distant memory and it won’t be even a month until Joe Gibbs Racing has two race winners in 2026.

Read more: Best NASCAR races 2026, ranking every NASCAR race this season

3. Denny Hamlin (1st: 6)

NASCAR Power Rankings
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagen Images

No one was beating Denny Hamlin in the Pennzoil 400. After finishing third in Stage 1, he dropped to the back of the field (31st) on the restart for speeding on pit road (50.03 mph). It didn’t take long for the No. 11 car to get back into the top 15 and finished Stage 2 in fifth place. At that point it was clear that no matter who had the fastest car on Sunday, Hamlin was headed to victory. After running at the front of the field at Daytona and Atlanta, but falling back due to car damage from wrecks caused by his teammates, Hamlin now has three consecutive top-10 finishes with an average finishing position of 5.33 and a total of 145 points during that span. Oh, he’s also now headed to Darlington where he’s a spring season winner.

Related: Pennzoil 400 Results

4. Bubba Wallace (First: 3)

NASCAR Power Rankings
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagen Images

We’re five races into this season and Bubba Wallace still has the second-most points in the Cup Series. Part of that is certainly due to the stages, as he became the first driver to score 50 stage points this year. That said, it’s also worth acknowledging that Wallace ranks sixth in laps led (86), he’s tied with Kyle Larson for the highest average spot in mid-race (7.60) and he leads the game in quality passes (690). That leaves you with a driver who has had the most top 10 finishes (four) on road courses with a season-worst finish of 11th.

RELATED: Denny Hamlin praises Bubba Wallace for elite improvement

5. Chase Elliott (First: 7)

NASCAR Power Rankings
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagen Images

The only driver who made Denny Hamlin sweat a little in the final stages was Chase Elliott. It says a lot about where this No. 11 car is, as Las Vegas Motor Speedway has not been particularly kind to the team in recent years. While Elliott did not perform particularly well in the stages on Sunday (3 points total), the adjustments made put him in position to challenge Hamlin at the end. Leading up to Darlington, Elliott has finished 11th or better four times with more than 33 points in each race. Phoenix (23rd) was clearly an example of a flawed game plan, but Elliott is back on track to win the regular season championship.

6. Kyle Larson (1st: 5)

NASCAR Power Rankings
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagen Images

Kyle Larson won his first NASCAR race in 2026, most recently in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. At a track where he has historically dominated, Larson finished second in both stages (18 points) and led the second-most laps (62 points), but he lost a bit of balance with the car in the final stages and he finished seventh. Larson’s average finishing position over the last three races is 5.333, but the No. 5 team is coming up just short of the finish line. It’s only a matter of time before that changes and his OARS win on Saturday showed he can still find victory lane even when he doesn’t have the best car.

7. Ryan Blaney (First: 2)

NASCAR Power Rankings
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagen Images

After the win in Phoenix, Team Penske was not having it at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It’s a testament to Blaney’s driving that he finished sixth on the same day Joey Logano finished 21st, and we saw that carryover on Sunday. Blaney scored two stage points (ninth in Stage 1), but fell to the middle of the pack and finished 16th in the Pennzoil 400. Through five races, Blaney finished outside the top 15 twice with one win and two top 10 finishes.

8. William Byron (before: 8)

NASCAR Power Rankings
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagen Images

William Byron had his best performance of the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, scoring his first top-5 finish of the year and scoring 49 points in the process. While the No. 24 didn’t have the pace to catch Hamlin in the long sprint in the final stages, there were some great battles earlier in the race. Byron and Hendrick Motorsports are righting the ship after three consecutive races outside the top 10, and he’ll likely climb the NASCAR power rankings in short order.

9. Ty Gibbs (previously: unranked)

NASCAR Power Rankings
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagen Images

It certainly seems as if the commentary surrounding Ty Gibbs in the Spire Motorsports-Joe Gibbs Racing legal battle has lit a fire for the young driver. In the first two races of the season, Gibbs scored a total of 15 points with an average finishing position of 30.0. The No. 54 car is now coming off a three-race run with 123 points and an average finishing position of 4.333. Gibbs, 23, is certainly starting to look like the driver his grandfather always believed he could become. A first career Cup Series win remains elusive for Ty, but it’s impossible to ignore how well he has performed of late.

10. Chase Briscoe (Previously: Unranked)

NASCAR Power Rankings
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagen Images

Chase Briscoe managed to finish eighth in the Pennzoil 400, truly one of the most impressive performances of the weekend. Due to a poor start to the season, which affected the metrics for qualifying order, he was part of the first qualifying group and started 18th on Sunday. Things got worse for the No. 19 team, as Briscoe received a speeding penalty in Stage 1 and then a penalty for pitting outside the box in Stage 2, resulting in him spending most of the race a lap down. He was successful in making a comeback in the top-10. He still has two DNFs on his record this season, but Brisco’s driving when the car isn’t being seriously damaged is reminiscent of last season.

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NASCAR stage results and Cup Series points totals from Las Vegas

Sunday afternoon’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway has come to a close, with some of the top stock car drivers putting on an exciting battle in the final stages. As everyone now prepares for Darlington, let’s look at today’s NASCAR results.

Let’s look at the Pennzoil 400 results from Las Vegas today. We’ll start with the final results from Sunday’s Cup Series race followed by today’s NASCAR stage results.

NASCAR Results Today: Pennzoil 400

Here are the Pennzoil 400 results today. We’ve noted stage points and Xfinity’s fastest lap point in parentheses.

PostDriverscore
1denny hamlin65 (14 stage points +1 fastest)
2chase elliott40 (5 stage points)
3William Byron49 (15 stage points)
4christopher bell51 (18 step points)
5you gibbs39 (7 step digits)
6Chris Buescher35 (4 stage points)
7kyle larson48 (18 stage points)
8chase brisco29
9bubba wallace41 (13 stage points)
10Brad Keselowski27
11Ryan Preece33 (7 step digits)
12Austin Dillon25
13tyler reddick30 (6 stage points)
14zane smith23
15Joey Logano22
16Ryan Blaney23 (2 stage point)
17Ross Chastain20
18Daniel Suarez19
19Austin Cindric19 (1 stage point)
20eric jones17
21John H. Nemechek16
22Carson Hocevar15
23Riley Herbst14
24AJ Allmendinger13
25Justin Allgaier12
26Michael McDowell11
27cole custer10
28kyle busch9
29Ricky Stenhouse Jr.8
30noah gragson7
31josh berry6
32Connor Zylisch5
33ty dillon4
34Todd Gilliland3
35kodi ware2
36shane van gisbergen1
Official 2026 Pennzoil 400 Race Results at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Check out the updated NASCAR Cup Series standings today

NASCAR Stage Results Today: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Here are the results for the NASCAR Cup Series round for Las Vegas.

Pennzoil 400 Step 1 Results

Pennzoil 400 Step 2 Results

SituationtionDriverscore
1christopher bell10
2kyle larson9
3denny hamlin8
4you gibbs7
5bubba wallace6
6William Byron5
7Ryan Preece4
8chase elliott3
9Ryan Blaney2
10tyler reddick1
Official 2026 Pennzoil 400 Stage 1 Results at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
PostDriverscore
1William Byron10
2kyle larson9
3christopher bell8
4bubba wallace7
5denny hamlin6
6tyler reddick5
7Chris Buescher4
8Ryan Preece3
9chase elliott2
10Austin Sindri1
Official 2026 Pennzoil 400 Stage 2 Results at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

View the status of the updated 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts line.

Who won the NASCAR race today?

Denny Hamlin won a NASCAR race today at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, his first win of the season.

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Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

#NASCAR #stage #results #Cup #Series #points #totals #Las #Vegas

The Las Vegas Raiders could still trade Max Crosby

The Las Vegas Raiders have already traded Max Crosby once. Some doubt they can do it again, especially not at the same price.

Still, even if the Raiders can’t recoup two first-round picks for a trade for the five-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher, that doesn’t mean the deal isn’t completely off the table.

According to ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, even if Crosby is committed to the Raiders, a trade is still possible, potentially closer to the 2026 NFL Draft.

Everyone feels like they’re in a good position, Fowler said, but since they’ve already taken care of the business, they’re open to that possibility, potentially, if the right offer comes along. “We’re looking at the timelines here; it’s going to be a little slower now, but you’ll get closer to the draft, maybe trade offers heat up, or maybe even closer to the season. But right now, he’s a Raider, and that’s expected to be the case at least for a while.”

Even after a failed physical, the Raiders should be able to get at least a first-round pick in exchange for Crosby. Still, finding the right fit is more difficult because most teams have already dedicated their money to other players and filled their needs with other pass-rushers. Still, that doesn’t mean another contender can’t emerge later.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft After NFL Free Agency Negotiation Window

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2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Standings: After Las Vegas

The fifth points race of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Parts Series season is in the books, concluding Saturday night at LiUNA at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. As drivers leave the track and prepare for next week’s race at Darlington Raceway, it’s time to check out the status of O’Reilly Auto Parts after Las Vegas.

Let’s take a look at the NASCAR OARS standings straight after today’s race in Las Vegas.

RELATED: NASCAR starting lineups Las Vegas, Cup Series qualifying results and Pennzoil 400 grid

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Leads Right Now

PostDriverscoreBack
1Justin Allgaier237
2jessie love224-13
3Austin Hill208-29
4sheldon creed188-49
5Carson Kvapil173-64
6sammy smith164-73
7corey day154-83
8carruth diagram137-100
9parker retzlaff129-108
10Sam Mayer122-115
11brandon jones120-117
12taylor gray110-117
13jeb burton104-133
14Brennan Poole97-140
15William Savlich95-142
16patrick staropoli87-150
17anthony alfredo82-155
18Ryan Vijay81-156
19blaine perkins81-156
20kyle vijay72-165
21jeremy clements65-172
22Austin Green65-172
23Josh Bilicki64-173
24lavar scott60-177
25brent cruz59-178
26Ryan Ellis57-180
27dean thompson57-180
28nick sanchez56-180
29Harrison Burton52-185
30josh williams34-203
31Jordan Anderson33-203
32Garrett Smithley31-206
33luke fenhaus31-206
34joy gas29-208
35in mason26-211
Official 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Standings Today

Click here for complete race results from today’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event at Las Vegas.

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Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

#NASCAR #OReilly #Auto #Parts #Series #Standings #Las #Vegas

Former NFL GM explains why the Las Vegas Raiders should sign… Kirk Cousins

A former NFL general manager believes the Las Vegas Raiders cannot start Fernando Mendoza right away and believes they will need to sign a veteran quarterback to lead the offense as early as 2026. And he has a specific player in mind.

Although there are a lot of rumors about which players teams will take in Round 1 of next month’s NFL Draft, one thing is certain. The Raiders will use the No. 1 overall selection on Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, and he will be their starting QB immediately. Or maybe not.

There is always a risk in thrusting a rookie signal-caller into a starting role for an NFL team. Especially one that had the worst record in the league last year. That’s why ESPN NFL expert Mike Tannenbaum believes Mendoza should begin his career as a backup and Kirk Cousins ​​should be the Raiders’ starting QB in Week 1.

“I would sign Kirk Cousins. I think he’s the ideal bridge quarterback to Fernando Mendoza,” he said on Friday Morning Edition. sports center. “We know they’ve got Tyler Linderbaum, but their offensive line gave up more sacks than any team last year. Why not go out and bring in a veteran like Kirk Cousins ​​to stabilize the position?

“Bring Mendoza on slowly. Don’t play him from day one, because, remember, quarterbacks are often ruined before they even get going.”

Why should the Raiders sign Kirk Cousins?

raiders
Kirby Lee-Images Images

While Raiders fans may not be thrilled with the idea of ​​Cousins ​​being their starting QB in Week 1, Tannenbaum’s point makes a lot of sense. Mendoza is a good QB prospect. However, he is not a generational talent, and many experts believe he will not be the first or even second QB selected in next year’s draft.

Las Vegas needs to be smart with his development and do everything possible to ensure he can succeed when handed the keys to the offense. While Linderbaum will certainly make the offensive line better next season, this is still a messy group that could be a big loss for the developing QB prospect.

Cousins ​​is a far cry from the Pro Bowl-level player he used to be and was a role model himself in Atlanta. But he’s still a good player at the position and has the experience to handle the shortcomings of playing behind an average offensive line. Mendoza still needs to learn those skills. He should not achieve them in a litmus test situation during his rookie season.

Plus, the Raiders have the money to sign Cousins, and he’s looking for a chance to start this season. If it’s better than expected, great. But if he disappoints, let Mendoza take his place and have a lot more information and preparation when that moment comes.

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#NFL #explains #Las #Vegas #Raiders #sign.. #Kirk #Cousins

Las Vegas Raiders ‘expect’ to target veteran Pro Bowl quarterback

Although some interesting reports are suggesting otherwise, all signs point to the Las Vegas Raiders making Fernando Mendoza the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. After all, they already moved on before the start of last year by sending Geno Smith to the New York Jets.

With Aidan O’Connell the only quarterback left on the Raiders roster, Las Vegas has no choice but to add another arm to the roster this offseason. Chances are, he’ll be a veteran who can help Mendoza navigate the ups and downs of his first season.

A potential guru came forward on Wednesday. according to athleticAccording to NFL insider Diana Russini, Raiders fans should “expect” the team to “show interest” in signing the recently released Kirk Cousins ​​to help Mendoza.

While Cousins ​​certainly wants to play in 2026 rather than play a backup role, he would be an ideal fit for the Raiders. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback has mastered the art of preparing for his opponents, whether it’s adjusting his body or diving into individual matchups and film to break down coverages. Cousins ​​could be a huge asset for the young QB.

Additionally, if he is pressed into action, Cousins ​​could still help swing some games in the Raiders’ favor. The 37-year-old still led the Falcons to a 5-3 record last season, keeping them in the playoff race for as long as he could. If asked to do the same in Las Vegas, both parties need to be confident he is the right person for the job.

RELATED: NFL Insider updates Raiders Max Crosby trade price after failed physical

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2026 NASCAR Cup Series Las Vegas Entry List: Pennzoil 400 Drivers

NASCAR heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend for the fifth points race of the Cup Series season. The field of drivers for Sunday’s NASCAR race has been determined, marking the first time in 2026 that there will be no open cars running this weekend.

As of now, Hendrick Motorsports has listed Alex Bowman as a contender for the No. 48 car. He missed last weekend’s race due to dizziness, with Anthony Alfredo taking his place behind the wheel at Phoenix. If Bowman returns this weekend, he will find himself 36th in points and 77 points back of 16th in The Chase.

RELATED: NASCAR Power Rankings 2026, 10 best NASCAR drivers entering Las Vegas

Let’s dive straight into the NASCAR entry list for Las Vegas, presenting the field of Cup Series drivers for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400.

NASCAR Entry List Las Vegas: Pennzoil 400

carDriverTeam
1Ross Chastaintrackhouse racing
2Austin CindricTeam Penske
3Austin DillonRichard Childress Racing
4noah gragsonFront Row Motorsports
5kyle larsonHendrick Motorsports
6Brad Keselowskirfk racing
7Daniel SuarezSpire Motorsports
8kyle buschRichard Childress Racing
9chase elliottHendrick Motorsports
10ty dillonKaulig Racing
11denny hamlinjoe gibbs racing
12Ryan BlaneyTeam Penske
16AJ AllmendingerKaulig Racing
17Chris Buescherrfk racing
19chase briscojoe gibbs racing
20christopher belljoe gibbs racing
21josh berrywood brothers racing
22Joey LoganoTeam Penske
23bubba wallace23XI Racing
24William ByronHendrick Motorsports
34Todd GillilandFront Row Motorsports
35Riley Herbst23XI Racing
38zane smithFront Row Motorsports
41cole custerHaas Factory Team
42John Hunter NemechekLegacy Motor Club
43eric jonesLegacy Motor Club
45tyler reddick23XI Racing
47Ricky Stenhouse Jr.Hayek Motorsports
48alex bowmanHendrick Motorsports
51kodi wareRick Ware Racing
54you gibbsjoe gibbs racing
60Ryan Preecerfk racing
71Michael McDowellSpire Motorsports
77Carson HocevarSpire Motorsports
88Connor Zylischtrackhouse racing
97shane van gisbergentrackhouse racing

RELATED: NASCAR Odds Las Vegas, 4 Picks for Pennzoil 400

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Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

#NASCAR #Cup #Series #Las #Vegas #Entry #List #Pennzoil #Drivers

Las Vegas Raiders sign 3x Pro Bowler to record-breaking contract in free agency

NFL free agency has a tendency to shatter expectations. Talented players hit the open market, and teams with needs are eager to fill them, no matter the cost.

The Las Vegas Raiders are beginning a new era with a first-year head coach in Clint Kubiak. Soon, they are expected to make Fernando Mendoza the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Now, they are giving their offense a huge boost.

according to athleticDiana Russini, signing the Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum. The 25-year-old was a strong candidate to be re-signed by the Ravens, but the three-time Pro Bowler was highly coveted, with the Browns and Commanders also registering interest.

However, it was the Raiders who landed one of the NFL’s top free agents by signing Linderbaum to a record-setting contract for a center. He is being signed to a three-year, $81 million contract. The NFL’s second-highest paid center is now two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler Creed Humphrey, who is averaging $18 million per season.

Still, the Raiders are getting an excellent player in Linderbaum who may still have more room for development. Center is also an extremely important position in Coach Kubiak’s attack.

Linderbaum is not only effective, but he’s also durable, having missed just two games since becoming the 25th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Now he will be a big part of the Raiders’ future, and help create a pocket for Mendoza for years to come.

RELATED: Why the Raiders were right to trade Max Crosby for two first-round picks

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Winners, losers of Max Crosby trade between Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders are finalizing a blockbuster trade with EDGE rusher Max Crosby. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports, the Ravens are sending the 14th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a 2027 first-round pick to the Raiders for Crosby. It’s a surprising move that gives Baltimore an alpha on the defensive line who is capable of sacking the quarterback at a high level.

Below, we’ll break down the winners and losers of the Crosby trade between the Raiders and Ravens.

Winner: Baltimore Ravens, Max Crosby

NFL: Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers
kayla wolf-imagen images

The Ravens are undoubtedly the biggest winners of the Crosby trade with the Raiders. The 28-year-old pass rusher recorded 10 sacks and one interception despite missing two games during the 2025-26 NFL season. The Ravens were in desperate need of a pass rusher after trading Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers at the trade deadline. Crosby is now the center of a Super Bowl-contending team’s defense.

Loser: Las Vegas Raiders defense

NFL: Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders
Stephen R. sylvany-imagen images

The Raiders’ defense is the biggest loser, as losing Crosby would be detrimental to the team. Crosby was the heart and soul of the Las Vegas defense, and it will be difficult to replicate his success on the football field. The Raiders have two first-round picks to help find a replacement, but it will be difficult to bounce back from this trade next season.

Winner: Ravens head coach Jesse Minter

NFL: Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter introductory press conference
lexi thompson-image images

Ravens head coach Jesse Minter will be calling defensive plays for the team, and he’s feeling pretty good right now. Baltimore trading for Crosby would give the team an EDGE rusher who can sack the quarterback 10 or more times while moving forward. This allows Minter to be more creative in his defensive schemes and playcalling, increasing the efficiency of the Ravens’ defense.

Loser: Dallas Cowboys

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys
Kevin Jairaj Images

The Dallas Cowboys battled Baltimore for Crosby but were unsuccessful. Dallas made a big move for the former Raider, but the trade fell through, presumably because it was unwilling to give up two first-round picks. While the Cowboys did not feel comfortable passing much forward, defensive players like Crosby are not often available.

Winner: Raiders Front Office

NCAA Football: CFP National Championship-Miami vs. Indiana
kirby lee-image images

Losing Crosby would hurt the Raiders defense and the team as a whole; However, this is a huge return. The 14th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft gives Las Vegas the opportunity to either select an elite EDGE prospect or fill another need. The first-round pick in 2027 would also give the Raiders more ammo to surround their potential next quarterback, Fernando Mendoza. Two first-round picks are a great return, and the Las Vegas front office did a good job.

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#Winners #losers #Max #Crosby #trade #Las #Vegas #Raiders #Baltimore #Ravens

Winners, losers of Max Crosby trade between Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders are finalizing a blockbuster trade with EDGE rusher Max Crosby. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports, the Ravens are sending the 14th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a 2027 first-round pick to the Raiders for Crosby. It’s a surprising move that gives Baltimore an alpha on the defensive line who is capable of sacking the quarterback at a high level.

Below, we’ll break down the winners and losers of the Crosby trade between the Raiders and Ravens!

Winner: Baltimore Ravens, Max Crosby

NFL: Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers
kayla wolf-imagen images

The Ravens are undoubtedly the biggest winners of the Crosby trade with the Raiders. The 28-year-old pass rusher recorded 10 sacks and one interception despite missing two games during the 2025-26 NFL season. The Ravens were in desperate need of a pass rusher after trading Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers at the trade deadline. Crosby is now the center of a Super Bowl-contending team’s defense.

Loser: Las Vegas Raiders defense

NFL: Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders
Stephen R. sylvany-imagen images

The Raiders’ defense is the biggest loser, as losing Crosby would be detrimental to the team. Crosby was the heart and soul of the Las Vegas defense, and it will be difficult to replicate his success on the football field. The Raiders have two first-round picks to help find a replacement, but it will be difficult to bounce back from this trade next season.

Winner: Ravens head coach Jesse Minter

NFL: Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter introductory press conference
lexi thompson-image images

Ravens head coach Jesse Minter will be calling defensive plays for the team, and he’s feeling pretty good right now. Baltimore trading for Crosby would give the team an EDGE rusher who can sack the quarterback 10 or more times while moving forward. This allows Minter to be more creative in his defensive schemes and playcalling, increasing the efficiency of the Ravens’ defense.

Loser: Dallas Cowboys

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys
Kevin Jairaj Images

The Dallas Cowboys battled Baltimore for Crosby but were unsuccessful. Dallas made a big move for the former Raider, but the trade fell through, presumably because it was unwilling to give up two first-round picks. While the Cowboys did not feel comfortable passing much forward, defensive players like Crosby are not often available.

Winner: Raiders Front Office

NCAA Football: CFP National Championship-Miami vs. Indiana
kirby lee-image images

Losing Crosby would hurt the Raiders defense and the team as a whole; However, this is a huge return. The 14th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft gives Las Vegas the opportunity to either select an elite EDGE prospect or fill another need. The first-round pick in 2027 would also give the Raiders more ammo to surround their potential next quarterback, Fernando Mendoza. Two first-round picks are a great return, and the Las Vegas front office did a good job.

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Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

#Winners #losers #Max #Crosby #trade #Las #Vegas #Raiders #Baltimore #Ravens

Rich Paul distances himself from Las Vegas ownership rumors

Over the past few years, player agent Rich Paul has seen his influence grow. Many believe that his work at Klutch Sports has led him to become one of the most influential figures in the NBA, including handling Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James.

Rumors even surfaced that Paul and James are planning to purchase an expansion team in Las Vegas if approved by the NBA. Las Vegas has often been mentioned as a possible destination for the league’s 31st team due to its sports market and economic feasibility.

However, Paul flatly denied this on his podcast, “Game Over.”

Paul said, “I don’t know where any truth or merit comes from in that. But what I would say to understand the importance of buying a team is, one, I don’t have enough money to buy a team, I really don’t.”

“Today, at least last time I checked, I would have needed to pretty much zero in on what I saw. Still, no. But I would say when thinking about buying a team, and I think you mentioned Vegas, this is not a team I would want to buy.”

According to Forbes, 45-year-old Paul has a net worth of $120 million. When his co-host, Max Kellerman, asked why he did not envision forming a team in Sin City, Paul claimed “There’s no point in it.”

Paul said, “If you’re buying a team, it’s a huge asset. You want the opportunity for growth, and when I look at buying a team and most teams, people say they lose money.”

“If I owned a team, I would be one of those owners who wouldn’t mind paying taxes because paying taxes means you’re making a valiant effort to win every year.”

Currently, the average value of a franchise in the NBA is approximately $4 billion to $5 billion.

The NBA has held the Summer League in Las Vegas for the past several years and experts believe it is ripe for expansion. Las Vegas already has a team in the WNBA, NFL and NHL.

Even if Paul isn’t interested, there are certainly other wealthy people willing to take a bet on starting a team in Las Vegas.


#Rich #Paul #distances #Las #Vegas #ownership #rumors

LeBron James-Rich Paul Las Vegas rumor swirling around

The Los Angeles Lakers have been going through some ups and downs lately, most recently losing a home game to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday evening. Some are even saying that the Lakers would be better off moving on from LeBron James this summer, as the possibility of him joining a new team has become a real possibility.

Of course, James’ retirement doesn’t seem too far away either, and recently, Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus reported on a big plan the star may have as it relates to NBA expansion.

Pincus reported, “…there is a rumor going around the league that he will be the face of an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas.”

Apparently, James’ longtime friend Rich Paul is also involved in the scheme.

Pincus reported, “One thinking is that he could retire, and his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, could sell the rest of his agency to UTA (United Talent Agency). With the financial backing, they could step into ownership roles.”

Rumors of NBA expansion have been circulating for some time, with Las Vegas listed among the leading candidates along with Seattle, previously home to the SuperSonics.

Pincus said that “the league will allow multiple candidates to choose a position.”

James has become more and more prominent in recent years for his business interests off the court. Meanwhile, Paul has not been a fan of the Lakers this year, as he publicly suggested that the team move on from Austin Reaves via a trade.

However, his potential teaming up with James on an expansion team in Las Vegas would happen long after James’ Lakers days, and the NBA as a whole, are over.

For now, the Lakers will focus on trying to get back in the win column on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns.


#LeBron #JamesRich #Paul #Las #Vegas #rumor #swirling

Las Vegas Raiders willing to trade No. 1 overall pick

There has been a widespread belief, almost from the moment they amassed the worst record in the league, that the Las Vegas Raiders are set to make Fernando Mendoza the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. Still, that hasn’t been carved in stone yet.

The Raiders had a large contingent in pursuit of Mendoza, including the Heisman-winner’s victory at the College Football National Championship. However, perhaps the Raiders aren’t 100% sold on Mendoza being their next franchise QB.

According to the , the franchise will always consider trade offers for the top selection in the draft.

“I learned a long time ago – always listen,” Spytek said. “I’m always listening. I watched him a few times this season, evaluating him. We’re not allowed to talk to him, so it’s as close as I get to standing on the sidelines before a game.”

If the Raiders are “always listening,” we’d assume that includes offers for Maxx Crosby, despite their best efforts to say they want him back. Whether Crosby feels the same way remains to be seen, but he has tried to convey through back-channels that he would like to play elsewhere.

Still, if the Raiders are actually listening to offers instead of picking and choosing Mendoza, it opens the door to a potential blockbuster offer, just like the Rams did in 2016 when they traded up to take Jared Goff.

RELATED: Aidan Hutchinson discusses ‘dream’ of Detroit Lions trading for Max Crosby

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Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

#Las #Vegas #Raiders #trade #pick

Las Vegas Raiders urge trade No. 1 overall pick

The Las Vegas Raiders have been searching for a new franchise quarterback for a long time. Trading for former Pro Bowl QB Geno Smith last offseason backfired. The Raiders now have the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, and many believe they are set to select Heisman-winning CFP national champion Fernando Mendoza from Indiana.

However, others do not believe it is a good idea. Some think the Raiders would be better off trading the No. 1 pick for a collection of assets.

Specifically, Fox Sports’ Danny Parkins believes the Raiders would be much better off trading the top pick in April’s NFL Draft.

“Given how many holes the Raiders have, and looking at the comps for Mendoza, it seems like this is a Jared Goff type, who is a little bit quicker with a little bit of a bad arm … who might miss.”

Absolutely. All draft picks can be missed, even the seemingly ‘sure things’ that come up every few years. Still, what’s the alternative in Las Vegas? Running it back with Geno Smith? Trying to bring in someone like Tua Tagovailoa or Kyler Murray?

Who’s to say those reclamation projects are even going on in Vegas? Mendoza would be their least expensive option, and has the highest ceiling, but yes, like any player, there are risks involved. It’s up to the attackers to decide if the risks are worth the potential payoff.

RELATED: Max Crosby’s praise for Caleb Williams sparks NFL rumor

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Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

#Las #Vegas #Raiders #urge #trade #pick

Las Vegas Raiders report asking price in Max Crosby trade

Max Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders are coming off another challenging season in which they set their franchise record for most losses in a season with 14. The Raiders have since made several changes, most notably firing Pete Carroll and hiring Clint Kubiak as their head coach.

Now that the Raiders’ brand-new coaching staff is in place, it’s time to address the elephant in the room: Crosby’s future with the team. He is under contract with Las Vegas through the 2029 season, but some believe the five-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher is tired of being part of a losing effort.

Others doubt the Raiders would even consider trading their best defenseman. Recently, ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the Raiders don’t actually want to trade Crosby. But if they do consider offers, it would involve a trade package like Micah Parsons, two first-round picks and a player.

“I was told the Raiders didn’t want to trade him and even if they considered it, it would have to take a Micah Parsons-type package,” Schefter said. “That’s what I was told. Do I think they’re getting two players and one player? No. Do I think they’ll want to trade him? No. Do I think he’ll be traded? … It’ll change by the week, but it’s definitely possible.”

Crosby is already 28 years old. Meanwhile, Parsons was only 26 years old at the time of his trade to the Cowboys. Crosby has only 4.5 more sacks than Parsons in his career, and has played two more seasons. In other words, Parsons was the more attractive trade chip.

In other words, it may be difficult for the Raiders to get their reported asking price, but if they are willing to drop the price, a deal could be done. Still, based on his initial request, the Raiders likely won’t trade their prized pass-rusher for anything less than a first-round selection.

RELATED: Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro weighs decision to request trade

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Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

#Las #Vegas #Raiders #report #price #Max #Crosby #trade

Mr Vegas Online Casino Review & Bonuses | February 2026

Mr Vegas, founded in 2020, is bidding to be known as one of the world’s top online casinos, so I decided to take a look at what the platform has to offer. 

Owned and operated by a Malta-based company called Videoslots Limited, Mr Vegas is licensed and regulated by Spelinspektionen (the Swedish Gambling Authority). The thing I checked first is whether it was also licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, which it is, under licence no. 39380, so I knew it was safe to play at.

Mr Vegas online casino pros & cons

Pros 

  • Safe and secure, fully licensed UK online casino site
  •  Huge choice of games – more than 5,000 titles to try
  • Strong welcome offer includes some wager-free free spins 

Cons 

  • Site looks old-fashioned compared to modern online casinos
  • Sports betting options are a little limited 

Welcome bonus at Mr Vegas online casino

As a new player who joined the Mr Vegas online casino, I was treated to a welcome offer of up to £200 as a 100% deposit match, in exchange for registering my account with the site.

Of course, there’s no such thing as free money (aside from no-deposit bonuses, of course), so I first needed to deposit at least £10 to be able to claim the 100% deposit match welcome bonus here. However, one thing I discovered that’s worth noting was that the 100% bonus was only paid out in 10% increments, not all in one go. This didn’t bother me too much, but it might be a deal-breaker for some prospective customers.

The bonus is only valid for casino games such as slots, roulette and live casino titles, while wagering on progressive jackpot games does not count towards any wagering requirements. I had to wager the bonus 35x to be able to withdraw my winnings from it, but that requirement is actually on the lower end these days.

If you’re in the mood for something different, I’ll have you know that new players at Mr Vegas online casino can also get 11 wager-free welcome spins that can be used on the Pink Elephants 2 video slot by Thunderkick. To get them, users must deposit within 24 hours of registration. As mentioned, these 11 free spins are wager-free, and there is no maximum win limit in play either.

No deposit bonuses at Mr Vegas online casino 

Unfortunately, Mr Vegas is not one of the UK online casinos offering no-deposit bonuses.

Of course, I have every faith Mr Vegas will be adding this option to attract new users to sign up for an account at some point in the future, since they already have a wager-free offer on the books, among other promotions for new and existing players to opt into.

For now, though, players searching for the best UK no-deposit bonuses will have to go elsewhere. 

Mr Vegas online casino bonus codes 

I have more good news for players joining Mr Vegas – there’s no need to enter any bonus code or promo code to receive the site’s welcome package of a 100% deposit match bonus and 11 free spins – as soon as I made my deposit, my casino bonus reached my account.

Mr Vegas online casino spins bonus 

Ongoing bonuses at Mr Vegas were a little on the sparse side for my taste, unfortunately. There were no other Mr Vegas online casino spins bonuses available to claim, other than the 11 wager-free spins upon registration.

Other Mr Vegas online casino bonuses 

I was happy to see there was a rewards scheme for regular players at the Mr Vegas online casino to enjoy, and I made full use of it.

Each week, players are given what is called Rainbow Treasure. The amount of money received correlated to the number of bets that I placed on video slots, slots, jackpot games and live casino titles at Mr Vegas site.

The maximum Rainbow Treasure payout has been set at £300, and it is paid out a week in arrears. I and other players could keep tabs on updates on the progress of our Rainbow Treasure hunt in our account settings.

Mr Vegas Rainbow Fridays

Win up to £300

Players must have made at least 1 deposit to receive Rainbow Treasure payments. Rainbow Treasure cannot be combined with any other bonus or promotion. No Rainbow Treasure can be earned until completion or failure of another active bonus or promotion. Min. Rainbow Treasure payout is £0.5. Max. Rainbow Treasure payout in one day (00:00 – 23:59 GMT) is £300. Values below £0.5 will not be paid out and will be forfeited. Terms apply.

CLAIM HERE

Mr Vegas also offers a promotion called the Wheel of Vegas. Here, every spin or attempt I made in the slots, video slots, jackpots or live casino categories offered me the chance to win a spin on the Wheel of Vegas, which offers three exclusive jackpots:

  • Mega Jackpot
  • Major Jackpot
  • Mini Jackpot

Mr Vegas Wheel of Vegas

Win one of three jackpots

The Wheel of Vegas is a limited promotion and does not form part of any game’s Return to Player (RTP). If you have an active bonus, The Wheel of Vegas cannot be played. 20% of the Jackpot win will seed the following Jackpot and 80% of the Jackpot value will be credited to the player’s account. Terms apply.

CLAIM HERE

Games at Mr Vegas online casino 

With more than 5,000 games to pick from, I can honestly say Mr Vegas has a truly vast casino games library on offer.

Slots 

As with most best online casinos in the UK, the library at Mr Vegas is mostly made up of slots, which I expected. There is a search function I used plenty of times, as well as the variety of filters available to categorize games according to my preference.

As I said, there are thousands of different slot games for customers to try, many of them can be found at best slot sites. The list of studios and developers that have their games listed at Mr Vegas comprises dozens of leading providers, including Wazdan, Quickspin, Playtech, Play’n GO, Microgaming, NetEnt, and more. 

Some of the most popular slots I had the opportunity to play at the Mr Vegas online casino site include the likes of: 

Live casino

With hundreds of live casino games at Mr Vegas, the variety that greeted me was almost overwhelming. Many of the games I played were provided by Evolution Gaming, a leading developer of live dealer casino titles – something I always count as a good sign.

Casino classics such as poker, blackjack, roulette and baccarat are represented by dozens of live dealer rooms. There are options to suit all budgets, from high-roller VIPs to newcomers with a smaller amount of money to spend.

Game show-style titles such as Dream Catcher and Monopoly Live are likely to be the most popular picks when it comes to the live dealer area of the Mr Vegas online casino site. 

I also tried out live dealer casino games based on slots like Gonzo’s Quest, and slots based on Deal Or No Deal. 

Progressive jackpots 

I dabbled a bit in the progressive jackpots section at Mr Vegas, including Sisters of Oz, Book of Atem and Ancient Fortunes Poseidon Megaways. When I played at Mr Vegas, the progressive jackpot stood in excess of £18m.

In my experience, whoever got it would win one of the largest cash prizes in the history of UK online casinos.

Other games 

Video poker has been shunned by some online casinos, but I tried my hand at a handful of titles of this type at Mr Vegas, and there were also dozens of instant-win scratch card games to enjoy. 

Slingo games and bingo-style casino games are also included in the selection, along with some table games. 

Mr Vegas casino offers. 18+ BeGambleAware.org Please play responsibly.

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Mr Vegas casino offers. 18+ BeGambleAware.org Please play responsibly.

How to deposit and withdraw money at Mr Vegas online casino

The cashier was my first and last natural destination, so I could deposit and withdraw money at the Mr Vegas casino. 

I used debit cards (your regular Visa and Mastercard will do just fine), but those who prefer e-wallet payments will be happy to know these can be made via PayPal, Neteller and Skrill. Bank transfers are a valid payment method, too, as well as a prepaid paysafecard.

It is not yet possible to deposit via phone bill or cryptocurrency at Mr Vegas online casino, and the latter is not likely to ever happen, in my opinion.

There is a minimum deposit limit of £10 in place, and I could deposit a maximum of £10,000 – not something most of us would consider an issue, truth be told. The minimum withdrawal that can be processed at Mr Vegas casino is £20, which is a little on the high side.

Only one withdrawal each day is fee-free. Whenever I made multiple withdrawals, I was subject to a £2.50 charge. It only took a couple of days to receive winnings via e-wallet or debit card, but bank transfers took longer when I tested them out.

How to sign up to Mr Vegas online casino 

  1. To sign up to the Mr Vegas online casino, players should hit the green ‘Open account’ button. They should then: 
  2. Enter an email address and mobile phone number.
  3. Choose a password to be used for their Mr Vegas account – this needs to be at least eight characters long with at least one lower and one uppercase letter, as well as two numbers.
  4. Read the privacy policy and terms and conditions, and then click the boxes to agree to them.
  5. Enter more personal details such as full name, home address, date of birth, age, and gender.
  6. Fill in the four-digit code sent via both email and SMS to verify their Mr Vegas account.
  7. Choose to either opt in or out of receiving marketing messages from Mr Vegas.
  8. Make a deposit to finish the process and start playing!

How to contact Mr Vegas customer support 

I found various ways to contact Mr Vegas’ support team, which prides itself on 24/7 customer service. Live chat was my most-used option and it’s likely to be the most popular, but it isn’t the only way to reach out to them. The site has an extensive FAQ section and, additionally, Mr Vegas players in the UK can fill in a contact form and request a phone call back.

To email the Mr Vegas online casino customer support, players should message [email protected].

There is even the snail mail option to write to Mr Vegas online casino customer support. The site’s address is: Mr Vegas Ltd, The Space, Level 2 & 3, Alfred Craig Street, Pieta, PTA 1320, Malta. 

How to join Mr Vegas online casino’s VIP programme 

As I explained earlier, while Mr Vegas lacks an official VIP programme, the site does reward regular players. 

Users build up Rainbow Treasure through all their bets that are placed on video slots, slots, jackpot games, and live casino titles. The money is paid out weekly in arrears, with treasure capped at £300.

Mr Vegas Rainbow Fridays

Win up to £300

Players must have made at least 1 deposit to receive Rainbow Treasure payments. Rainbow Treasure cannot be combined with any other bonus or promotion. No Rainbow Treasure can be earned until completion or failure of another active bonus or promotion. Min. Rainbow Treasure payout is £0.5. Max. Rainbow Treasure payout in one day (00:00 – 23:59 GMT) is £300. Values below £0.5 will not be paid out and will be forfeited. Terms apply.

CLAIM HERE

How does Mr Vegas online casino encourage responsible gambling?

Mr Vegas describes online casino games as a “positive form of entertainment for adults” but acknowledges that some players can experience issues.

The site offers the option to take a break or self-exclude, while players here can also adjust how much money they can deposit, lose, or wager. Furthermore, the Mr Vegas online casino has information on how to get in touch with organisations such as GamCare, GambleAware and Gordon Moody.

Would I play at Mr Vegas online casino again? 

I’ll be honest – Mr Vegas is not the most modern-looking site out there, but its vast selection of games spanning more than 8,000 different titles, commanded my respect. 

I was also pretty impressed that the site covers everything from live dealer games to sports betting. I couldn’t find any dedicated sections for online bingo or poker as you can find at best online poker sites, but I would be lying if I didn’t say there were plenty of options for me to enjoy. 

With a 100% deposit bonus up to £200 and 11 wager-free free spins offered, Mr Vegas is worth trying.

More casino reviews

About the author

Daniel Smyth

Daniel Smyth has seen the online poker, casino, and betting industry from every angle. He previously played poker semi-professionally before working at WPT Magazine as a writer and editor. From there, he transitioned to online gaming where he’s been producing expert content for over 10 years.

Follow Daniel on Twitter @DanSmythThePoet

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the casino offers featured in this article may result in a payment to sport. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

  • Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
  • Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
  • Never chase their losses
  • Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
  • Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
  • GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.


#Vegas #Online #Casino #Review #Bonuses #February

湯姆·布雷迪 (Tom Brady) 計劃重啟球隊,拉斯維加斯突襲者隊 (Las Vegas Raiders) 在激進的草案提案中被打上一團糟的標籤

湯姆·布雷迪知道如何才能獲勝,現在他正努力在罪惡之城取得成功。

這位七屆超級碗冠軍擁有拉斯維加斯突襲者隊的少數股權,他在這支表現不佳的 NFL 球隊中的工作任務艱鉅。

2025 年 11 月 9 日,在李維斯體育場舉行的洛杉磯公羊隊和舊金山 49 人隊之間的 NFL 橄欖球比賽之前,福克斯體育首席分析師湯姆·布雷迪 (Tom Brady) 站在球場上

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布雷迪將在突襲者隊尋找新主教練的過程中發揮更大的作用圖片來源:蓋蒂

自2003年1月在奧克蘭比賽以來,銀黑隊就沒有贏過一場季后賽比賽,並且在本賽季結束時成為聯盟中最差的球隊之一。

拉斯維加斯以3勝14負的戰績鎖定了2026年NFL選秀的狀元秀,並獲得了重置的機會。

經驗豐富的主教練皮特·卡羅爾(Pete Carroll)就是其中之一,他在罪惡之城的經歷結束了,並在“黑色星期一”被解僱——常規賽結束後不到 24 小時。

在 1 月 5 日宣布這一消息的聲明中,突襲者隊老闆馬克·戴維斯表示,布雷迪將在球隊中扮演更重要的角色,並將成為尋找卡羅爾替代者的關鍵人物。

近兩週過去了,這位傳奇四分衛準確地透露了他希望新候選人能為維加斯帶來什麼。

湯姆·布雷迪 (Tom Brady) 提供突襲者 HC 搜索更新

“我認為現在每支球隊都在經歷自己的流程,試圖找出最適合他們的方式,”布雷迪在周四發表的採訪中告訴美聯社。

“我們希望在拉斯維加斯帶來一場胜利。這是球迷們應得的,而且已經等了很長時間了。

“所以,你必須解決很多難題,但我當然非常興奮,我們將使事情朝著正確的方向發展。”

#湯姆布雷迪 #Tom #Brady #計劃重啟球隊拉斯維加斯突襲者隊 #Las #Vegas #Raiders #在激進的草案提案中被打上一團糟的標籤

Sky Vegas 70 次免費旋轉 – 無需存款,無需下注!

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解鎖 200 次以上旋轉

如果您喜歡前 70 個,那麼還有更多類似的內容。 Sky Vegas 提供額外的 200 免費旋轉 當你邁出第一步的時候。

只需存款和消費 10 英鎊 在任何老虎機或即贏遊戲上。一旦您達到 10 英鎊的賭注,另外 200 次旋轉將記入您的帳戶。這是探索包含 1,000 多種遊戲的遊戲庫的完美方式,其中包括獨家 Jackpot King 遊戲。

關鍵細節

  • 僅限新客戶: 專為之前未在 Sky Betting & Gaming 開立賬戶的玩家提供。
  • 7 天有效期: 確保在計入積分後一周內使用您的旋轉。
  • 沒有投注: 就像前 70 次旋轉一樣,額外 200 次旋轉中的任何獎金都將以現金形式支付。

準備好了解為何 Sky Vegas 深受粉絲喜愛了嗎?通過 sport 上的鏈接,選擇加入,然後開始旋轉!

關於作者

丹尼爾·史密斯

Daniel Smyth 從各個角度觀察了在線撲克、賭場和博彩行業。在加入 WPT 雜誌擔任作家和編輯之前,他曾半職業玩過撲克。從那時起,他轉向在線遊戲領域,十多年來一直致力於製作專業內容。

在 Twitter 上關注 Daniel @DanSmythThePoet

商業內容注意:接受本文中介紹的賭場優惠之一可能會導致向 sport 付款。 18+。條款與條件適用。 GambleAware.org

請記住負責任地賭博

負責任的賭徒是這樣的人:

  • 在玩之前設定時間和金錢限制
  • 只用可以輸得起的錢來賭博
  • 永遠不要追逐損失
  • 如果他們心煩意亂、生氣或沮喪,則不會賭博
  • Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
  • GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org

請在此處找到有關負責任​​賭博行為的詳細指南。

如需有關賭博問題的幫助,請撥打國家賭博幫助熱線 0808 8020 133 或訪問 www.gamstop.co.uk 以排除在所有英國監管的賭博網站之外。


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