Pete & Geno’s Future, the Rebuild Blueprint, and Porter's Progress

HOW THE TEXANS REBUILT

AND WHY THE RAIDERS COULD COPY THEIR BLUEPRINT

If you’re looking for real answers on how the Raiders can actually rebuild — not guesses or recycled takes — I dove deep into it earlier this week on the Silver & Black Sports Network Podcast. I was joined by former Texans defensive lineman Seth Payne to break down how Houston went from the bottom of the league to a legitimate contender, what they got right along the way, and why that blueprint matters for where the Raiders are right now. It’s a smart, process-driven conversation that cuts through the noise — and if you’re serious about the next phase of this franchise, it’s absolutely worth your time.

GENO SMITH ON HIS FUTURE IN VEGAS:

“I’M EXPECTING TO WIN A LOT OF GAMES HERE”

It’s been a rough, often uncomfortable first season in Las Vegas for Geno Smith, even if his words this week struck an optimistic note. When asked about his future with the Raiders, Smith said he’s “expecting to win a lot of games here,” but that confidence comes against the backdrop of a season that has gone almost entirely off the rails. Between turnover issues, injury, and moments that summed up the overall frustration — including the incident with flipping off Raiders fans — Geno’s year has mirrored the team’s collapse. At 2-12 and riding an eight-game losing streak, this has been a lost season for the Raiders by just about any measure.

That context matters when projecting what comes next. With Pete Carroll widely viewed as one-and-done and the Raiders positioned to pick high enough to draft a quarterback of the future, it feels increasingly likely that Geno’s tenure with the Silver and Black ends after just one season as well. The relationship with the fan base has been rocky, with many calling for the team to bench him and move on entirely. Financially, the path is manageable. Eating $18.5 million in dead cap isn’t ideal, but it’s not crippling — and if the Raiders truly want to hit the reset button, it’s a price they can afford. Geno may believe he can win a lot of games in Vegas, but all signs point toward this being a one-and-done stop in the desert.

PORTER’S PROGRESS

After Kyu Blu Kelly went down with an injury against the Broncos a few weeks ago, rookie corner Darien Porter’s role has ramped up in a hurry. Porter has logged 138 snaps at corner over the last two games alone, allowing six catches on nine targets for 105 yards, while also notching a pair of pass breakups against Denver, per PFF. He held his own against Courtland Sutton — one of the better true X receivers in the league — but predictably ran into trouble against A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. We’re not in the business of handing out free passes, but it’s also fair to acknowledge that those are brutal matchups for any rookie still learning the position.

This week, I caught up with Eric Stokes to talk about his running mate on the outside, and Stokes was very complimentary of Porter — particularly when it comes to his ability as a man-to-man corner:

The Raiders don’t play much man coverage (roughly 12 percent of the time), and Stokes wasn’t calling out the coaching staff; he was simply describing Porter’s strengths when I asked what kind of player he believes Porter can become. It’s an interesting note, especially considering Porter is still developing, and it carries weight coming from Stokes, who’s quietly having a strong season in the middle of an otherwise brutal year for the Raiders.

For more on Porter — and the development of the rest of the Raiders’ young defenders — check out the latest episode of the Silver & Black Sports Network Podcast that dropped this morning. I’m joined by former Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison for a detailed breakdown of what he’s seen from the young guys so far. The audio-only version is linked below (that dropped this morning), and the full video will drop on YouTube Friday at 9:00 a.m. PT if you’d rather watch.

INTERESTING READ

I’m an avid reader, so from time to time I’ll drop in Raiders-related stories that really caught my attention during the week. This one fits that bill. Raiders columnist Paul Gutierrez wrote a fascinating feature on how Mark Davis played a role in developing the modern football hand warmer — the one you see on sidelines and strapped around players’ waists across the league today.

I know things are complicated with Mark right now for a lot of Raider Nation, but regardless of where you stand, this is a genuinely cool piece of football history and a reminder of how he’s left his imprint on the game in a way you might not have known.

MISS ANYTHING?

Catch up on some of our recent stories:

WILL PETE BE ONE-AND-DONE IN VEGAS?

NFL insider Jordan Schultz said what many of us have been thinking for quite some time now: Pete Carroll is likely one-and-done in Vegas.

Hindsight is always 20/20, and I’ll be the first to admit I liked the Pete Carroll hire when it initially came to light — but even then, it always felt like a bit of an odd pairing with John Spytek. They didn’t have any history together and given Pete’s age, it was a no-brainer that he’d come in trying to win right away. The problem is, this Raiders team was — and still very much is — in need of a full-scale rebuild.

Spytek’s approach has clearly been rooted in that long-term vision, but the moves that have Pete’s fingerprints all over them screamed “win now.” That clash in timelines has turned into a disaster for the Raiders.

I do think Pete makes it through the season, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the Raiders hit the reset button shortly after the final game — think Black Monday. From there, a full coaching staff cleanout feels inevitable, with the organization turning its attention to Spytek’s handpicked running mate: someone aligned with a rebuild, committed for the long haul, and capable of laying a real foundation for the future.

RAIDERS ROUNDERS

THE BEST BETS OF THE WEEK FOR THE RAIDERS VS. TEXANS GAME

We’ve rolled out something new for Raider Nation this season: Raiders Rounders. Each week, I team up with betting analyst Matt Perrault (The Bostonian vs The Book, The Daily Juice) to spotlight the best Raiders bets of the week and a few smart plays from around the NFL. Think of it as the perfect mix of insider football talk and betting insight, giving you a sharper look at how Vegas views the Silver & Black — from player props to game lines — and where the edges might be heading into Sunday.

With that in mind, here’s Matt’s play for the Raiders’ Week 16 matchup against the Texans:

• Texans -14

This is a pretty big spread, but that goes to show you the sad state of the Raiders right now because this doesn’t seem like a slap in the face and Matt thinks the Texans can cover it:

⚠️ Disclaimer: Raiders Rounders is all about sharing our perspective on the game. These aren’t betting recommendations — any wagers you place are 100% your responsibility. Bet responsibly.

FANSHOTZ FRIDAY

“FanShotz Friday”

By now, you have seen the phenomenal photos we’ve been using in many of our newsletters. They’re some of the best shots you’ll find of your favorite team, captured through the lens of our friend Arnie Bazemore of Fanshotz.com. Every Friday, we’ll feature Arnie’s favorite Raiders shot of the week that he captures at practice or on game day.

This week, we’re featuring a shot Arnie snagged of Maxx Crosby this season. We’re featuring this one to shine a light on Maxx, who was recently named the Raiders’ winner for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. This award is highly regarded by many players around the league and it recognizes guys who excel on the field and demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact beyond the game in their community and Maxx has done that and then some. His Foundation, the Maxx Crosby Foundation, has put on a handful of events this season to give back to local familes and next week, they’ve got a Christmas event coming up. They’re sponsoring 50 kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada to do some Christmas shopping next Tuesday. The kids will be getting a pizza party, backpacks, jackets courtesy of Jordan Brand, and $200 for a Christmas gift shopping spree. It’s been a struggle on the field for the Raiders, but Maxx is always winning off of the field.

Check out Arnie’s work at his site linked above and reach out if you’re interested in working with him. He’s a great guy and has been so supportive of me over the years when I was at NBC here in Vegas, and he’s come along for the ride with Silver & Black Sports Network, too.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Stay tuned to our social media channels throughout the weekend for the latest Raiders news and analysis leading up to the game in Houston on Sunday afternoon. Then, after the game, make sure you keep an eye out for our postgame reaction podcast, dropping shortly after the game is over.

Catch ya next time,