There are no more games for the Raiders to play this season. And several of the players who suited up for the team this season won’t be back.
Over the final couple weeks of the season the players begin thinking about coveting the time they have together, because the way this business is it’s unavoidable that the locker room will not be the same by the time they re-convene in April.
Some players will be in demand should they hit the market. Others will not. The ones who are re-signed are not necessarily the ones the team wants more. Likewise the ones that get away are not necessarily the ones they didn’t want. There are always a few free agents they may have wanted to bring back, but got an offer they liked better elsewhere.
At least 17 of those players will hit free agency unless the Raiders re-sign them beforehand.
Nov 12, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs the ball against the New York Jets during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 23: Bilal Nichols #91 of the Las Vegas Raiders puts pressure on Davis Mills #10 of the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 14: Center Andre James #68 of the Las Vegas Raiders leaves the field after warmups before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 41-14. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 26: Guard Jermaine Eluemunor #72 of the Las Vegas Raiders stretches as he warms up before a preseason game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 23-6. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Sep 10, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) defends on Las Vegas Raiders tight end Austin Hooper (81) in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Brandon Bolden (34) runs for a touchdown against Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Michael Davis (43) in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 27: Ameer Abdullah #22 of the Las Vegas Raiders carries the ball during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Sep 17, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Las Vegas Raiders guard Greg Van Roten (70) blocks Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (92) for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
November 5, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) celebrate after sacking New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DeAndre Carter (3) runs against the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) celebrates after getting a sack against the New England Patriots during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 26: Tight end Jesper Horsted #80 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball against the New England Patriots during the first half of a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Hroniss Grasu #65 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during the second half against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
Oct 15, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson (45) warms up against New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2019; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Brandon Parker (75) lines up to the line of scrimmage against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the Raiders final game at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum before relocating to Las Vegas for the 2020 season. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots running back Kevin Harris (36) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Curtis Bolton (36) during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21) eludes a tackle after making an interception against the New York Giants during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports