HENDERSON, Nev. — The Raiders put a bow on their offseason program Wednesday after concluding their first minicamp under new head coach Klint Kubiak.
The tone set by Kubiak was far more detail-oriented and serious than recent Raiders offseasons, a clear sign that it’s no longer business as usual in Las Vegas.
Players described the environment under Kubiak as urgent, competitive and high energy.
“He’s kind of hard to read a little bit, but that’s a good thing. I think I’m kind of hard to read, too,” new Raiders linebacker Quay Walker said. “He’s a coach who wants the team to be player-led.”
Plenty of focus was on quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in the NFL draft, but there were plenty of other stories as well.
Here are three observations:
Kirk Cousins looks healthy
The Raiders’ connection to Kirk Cousins, which includes him working with Kubiak and new Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko during their time together with the Vikings, made him a logical choice to serve as the veteran mentor to Mendoza and the potential bridge quarterback to cover Mendoza’s development process.
The question was, which version of Cousins were the Raiders getting? The one closer to the player he was pre-2023 Achilles tendon injury, or the one who seemed to be handcuffed by the setback the last two years in Atlanta?
That included an infamous night during the 2024 season when Cousins struggled to maneuver around the pocket in a game against the Raiders in Las Vegas. He was benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. soon after.
“I did not move well that night,” Cousins said.
Cousins has looked far closer to his former self throughout the offseason, as evidenced not only by how he’s moving and throwing with velocity and accuracy, but also how he’s verbally giving it to his defensive teammates during team periods.
“I definitely think every day, week, month, there’s been progress since I first tore my Achilles, and it’s been a progression, and I just keep learning more, keep getting better. And so, in that sense I do feel healthier now than I did then,” Cousins said. “And I’m optimistic that that’ll help me on the field, but we’ll see where it goes. But that’s kind of the goal is to just keep building, keep getting healthier, and hopefully it helps me on the field.”
If so, the Raiders could have an interesting commodity on their hands. It’s only a matter of time before they hand the keys to Mendoza, but in the interim, if Cousins can show he’s healthy and playing at a sufficient level, he could be a trade chip should a contending team’s quarterback go down at some point next season.
He wouldn’t break the bank, obviously, but even if the Raiders got a fourth-round pick for Cousins, the investment they made in him will have paid off in more ways than just as Mendoza’s mentor.
Young defensive backs impressing
The Raiders invested four draft picks in their secondary in April, and there is a good chance three of those players end up playing big roles as rookies.
Second-round pick Treydan Stukes is almost guaranteed to start this year at safety and is already flashing the type of versatility that will enable the Raiders to line him up all over the field.
Jermod McCoy was considered the best cornerback in the draft but slid to the fourth round due to concerns about his surgically repaired knee.
According to multiple league sources, the issue is longevity, not if he’s healthy enough to play this year. The Raiders managed the situation throughout the offseason, including minicamp, with McCoy doing most of his work behind the scenes.
If that remains the case, he is too good not to push for a big role as a rookie.
“I mean, corners that can cover are rare,” Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Leonard said. “He’s explosive; it will take some time, but he jumps out when he does individual with how explosive he is, and you see the talent.”
The big surprise so far is fifth-rounder cornerback Hezekiah Masses, who was splitting starting reps with Darien Porter, now in his second season. In addition, fellow fifth-round pick Dalton Johnson has flashed as well.
“The back end is extremely competitive,” Leonard said.
Offensive line picture coming into focus
There is no getting around just how bad the Raiders’ offensive line was last year. The group’s failures affected every part of the offensive operation, resulting in a nonexistent run game and quarterbacks playing under siege.
The belief in the building was that inadequate coaching was the biggest culprit, although talent was also an issue. Bringing in longtime offensive line coach Rick Dennison and making former Ravens star Tyler Linderbaum the highest-paid center in league history are moves the Raiders believe will get things on track.
Linderbaum has settled in as the leader of the offensive line, with a big assist from left tackle Kolton Miller, who was limited last year to four games due to an ankle injury. Spencer Burford, whom the Raiders added in free agency from the 49ers, has the inside track at left guard, and DJ Glaze, now in his third year, has been a fixture at right tackle throughout OTAs and minicamp.
That leaves right guard up for grabs, and it is shaping up as a battle between Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers.
Powers-Johnson has been a fan favorite since being drafted in the second round out of Oregon in 2024, but he’s struggled with injuries and consistency, and a source in the building described his offseason thus far as “hit and miss.”
Rogers, on the other hand, has been impressive throughout the offseason and could make a run at the starting job.
The club is also high on third-round pick Trey Zuhn, who can play tackle and guard. He could be the long-range left guard.