Raiders open camp with QB battle and roster questions

The Las Vegas Raiders open training camp on Tuesday in Henderson, Nevada, with several major roster calls still unresolved as the team moves toward its first practice on Wednesday.

At the center of the early camp spotlight is the quarterback competition between veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza. Coaches under Klint Kubiak are expected to use the opening practices to set an initial pecking order and define how both players will be evaluated as camp progresses.

Klint Kubiak’s staff balances priorities early

The Las Vegas Raiders Beyond quarterback, the coaching staff enters camp facing pressing personnel needs across multiple position groups. The Raiders have work to do at wide receiver and cornerback, where the current depth is viewed as a key issue heading into the first on-field sessions. Safety is another area with open questions. Isaiah Pola-Mao is being pushed by draft picks Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson for a starting role, adding a direct competition that could become one of the more closely watched position battles in camp. Maxx Crosby remains central as health and future are watched Star edge rusher Maxx Crosby remains a focal point for the organization, both for what he can provide on the field and what his long-term status could mean for the roster’s direction. Crosby was involved in a trade process in March that did not result in an agreement with the Baltimore Ravens, leaving him with Las Vegas as camp begins.

His performance following recent knee surgery is expected

His performance following recent knee surgery is expected to be a major indicator of where he stands, particularly as the team continues its rebuild. Coaches and evaluators will be monitoring how he looks as workload and intensity increase.

Wide receiver depth and possible free-agent options

At wide receiver, the Raiders are assessing internal options to fill the No. 3 receiver job. That evaluation is happening alongside broader concerns about depth at the position, which could shape how the team approaches the remainder of the offseason.

Free agency is also a potential avenue if the club decides external help is required. Veterans Deebo Samuel and Stefon Diggs are still available, according to the information provided, giving the Raiders an option to consider if internal candidates do not separate during camp.

Competition at safety includes a key statistical marker

The push for snaps at safety comes with a clear data point from Pola-Mao’s most recent season. In 2025, he allowed a 121.6 passer rating in coverage, a figure that will likely be referenced as the Raiders weigh whether competition from Stukes and Johnson should alter the depth chart.

For now, the immediate task is on-field evaluation beginning Wednesday, with multiple starting spots and rotation roles unsettled. How quickly the Raiders stabilize quarterback, receiver depth, and the secondary will shape the tone of camp, while Crosby’s post-surgery form remains an important unknown at the heart of the roster.

Implications

Country Impact: The Raiders’ camp in Henderson, Nevada, sets the schedule for roster decisions that will affect how the team enters the season. The quarterback competition and secondary battles will determine early depth-chart stability.

Industry Impact: Personnel uncertainty at quarterback, wide receiver, and cornerback highlights how teams use training camp to stress-test depth and identify gaps. The mention of free-agent veterans underscores that roster building can continue deep into camp if needs persist.

Market Impact: If the Raiders decide to pursue free agents such as Deebo Samuel or Stefon Diggs, it would reflect ongoing movement in the veteran player market late in the offseason. Crosby’s recovery and role also matters for how the club approaches major-asset decisions tied to a rebuild.