Raiders need to hit rock bottom to get headed in the right direction

HENDERSON, Nev. — The Raiders aren't going to start losing games on purpose, but it would be in the organization's best interest to secure a high draft pick, land a franchise quarterback and truly move forward.

And, finally, after many years of mediocre results and few playoff appearances, that could happen.

Las Vegas is 2-4 following losses by a combined 35 points to Denver and Pittsburgh and faces a gauntlet of teams the next three weeks.

Next up is a road game against the 1-4 Rams, but BetMGM Sportsbook favors Los Angeles by 5 1/2 points. Then, before the Raiders enter their bye week, they host the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs and visit the Bengals.

Those three teams have what the Raiders do not — a franchise quarterback — and the results show, with a combined four championships and six Super Bowl appearances over the past five years.

Las Vegas hoped to land one in this year's QB-rich draft in which six players at that position went in the first 12 picks. The Raiders drafted 13th.

Tom Telesco, who traded up just twice in his 11 years as the Chargers' general manager, could've moved up for a quarterback in his first draft as Raiders GM, but there was a question about how much the club would have to relinquish.

Coach Antonio Pierce has a personal connection with Jayden Daniels, who went No. 2 overall to the Commanders. But Washington, like the teams that took quarterbacks with the Nos. 1 and 3 selections, showed no interest in trading out of those spots.

The Raiders could have made a deal for one of the other three quarterbacks who went to teams ahead of them, but none was considered on the same level as the top trio.

Telesco can begin to acquire assets for a potential trade up next year by moving Davante Adams, but Pierce's statement last week that he still considered the star receiver a Raiders player indicated no deal was imminent.

The Raiders need to trade Adams given his back-loaded contract, which is not guaranteed after this year. It wouldn't make sense to cut him without getting anything in return. If the Raiders are hesitant to pay at least part of Adams' salary to get a deal done, that is short-term thinking.

So the Raiders find themselves in a difficult spot, but look at how young quarterbacks have energized other teams. There is genuine hope in Houston with C.J. Stroud, in Chicago with Caleb Williams and in Washington with Daniels. All were taken in the top two picks the past two years.

That could be Las Vegas next year.

What’s working

Las Vegas made three sacks Sunday, the third game in a row the Raiders have recorded at least that many, tied for the league's third-longest active streak. They also have had multiple sacks their past five games, the team's longest streak since doing it in 10 consecutive games over the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

What needs help

Going off script. The Raiders scored on their opening drives each of the past two weeks but did little the rest of the time in the losses to the Broncos and Steelers. Pierce acknowledged Monday that the entire team, from players to coaches, must do a better job of adjusting. Las Vegas scored 14 points in those two opening drives and 17 points the rest of those games.

“We’ve obviously got to find a better way of getting the ball into our playmakers’ hands and being more creative,” Pierce said.

Stock up

The picks from the first two days of last year's draft. All three started against the Steelers. First-rounder Brock Bowers already is one of the league's top tight ends. Hopes are high that second-round pick Jackson Powers-Johnson will be a standout guard, and third-rounder DJ Glaze held Steelers pass rush menace T.J. Watt to no sacks.

Stock down

The Raiders are making especially untimely mistakes. They have six turnovers the past two weeks. Las Vegas also committed 11 penalties for 79 yards a week ago against Denver. Though the Raiders had four penalties against Pittsburgh, two were roughing-the-passer calls on third down that set up touchdowns for the Steelers. One of those infractions came on what would've been a Raiders interception.

Injuries

Pierce didn't have new information on Adams (hamstring) and fellow wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle).

Key number

6 — The Raiders for the first time in franchise history began the season by trailing by double digits in all six games. The last NFL team to begin a season that way was the 2021 Detroit Lions.

Next steps

Las Vegas visits the Rams, who come off a bye, on Sunday.