Raiders Are Sending ‘Mixed Signal’ Around the NFL: Report
The NFL trade deadline is closing in, and the teams that aren’t in playoff contention are expected to be sellers. The Las Vegas Raiders are in a bit of a different situation than other losing teams.
While other bad teams have either fired or are going to fire their head coaches, the Raiders seem committed to Pete Carroll. He’s already 74 years old, so the team can’t embrace a total rebuild. However, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers continues to be talked about as the most obvious trade candidate.
He’s on an expiring deal and has made it clear that he wants a trade. Despite that, it sounds like the Raiders haven’t decided what they’re going to do, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“… Pittsburgh doesn’t want to jeopardize what it has going at the cost of making a splashy receiver trade. The combination of DK Metcalf, a great trio at tight end (Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington) and a steady running game is working right now,” Fowler wrote. “Las Vegas’ Jakobi Meyers is an ideal fit because he’s adaptable. He can be a reliable No. 2 or a high-volume target if needed. But the Raiders are one of the teams giving mixed signals on whether they would actually execute a deal, which complicates the market. They aren’t the only ones.”
Meyers Still Wants to Be Traded
At this point, it doesn’t make much sense to keep Meyers. He’s almost certainly going to leave in free agency in the offseason, and he’s not the type of player a team is going to use the franchise tag on.
Plus, he just reiterated that he’s hoping to get traded.
“Oh, for sure,” Meyers said Tuesday. “But I’m a professional at the end of the day. I’m just trying to play good football. If I’m here, I’ll play good football. If I’m not here, I’ll go out there and play wherever I’m supposed to be.”
It doesn’t sound like Meyers is opposed to signing a contract extension with the team, but it seems like he prefers a fresh start.
“That window kind of just closed with the offseason in it,” Meyers said. “If it gets done, I don’t care for real. I really just want to be in a good spot for me [and] my family.”
Meyers Hasn’t Spoken to Raiders About Trade
A lot of times, when players want to be traded, they’ll sit out and turn it into a big deal. Meyers has mostly stayed quiet about it unless he gets asked.
The wide receiver says that he hasn’t spoken to the team about a trade since his initial request, but is going to continue to keep his head down and work regardless of what happens.
“[The Raiders] know how I feel,” Meyers said. “It’s no reason for me to keep going back crying to them, ‘Can you get me out of here?’
“If you move me, you move me. But in the meantime, I got some real people that I care about next to me, so I’m trying to make sure I’m being my best self for them.”
Jason Kelce Defends Raiders After Shutout Loss: 'What Matters Is How You Respond'
The Las Vegas Raiders faced a brutal 31-0 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7, with their offense failing to score a single point. However, Jason Kelce, the veteran center for the Kansas City Chiefs and older brother of tight end Travis Kelce, isn’t writing off the Raiders just yet.
In a candid interview on the "New Heights" podcast, Jason shared his thoughts on the Raiders’ shutout loss, offering an honest and supportive perspective on what it takes to bounce back from such a tough defeat.
Staying Resilient in the Face of Adversity
"The Raiders didn’t score a single point, but that doesn’t mean they’re done," Kelce stated. "People are going to write them off after a game like that, but I know what they’re capable of. I’m not about to sit here and say they’re finished. Everyone has bad games—what matters is how you respond."
Jason Kelce’s words highlight a key principle in football: resilience. A tough loss can feel like a crushing setback, but it’s what happens after the game that truly defines a team. Kelce’s perspective emphasizes that, despite the Raiders' offensive struggles, their season is far from over. The team has shown promise, and their future performance depends on how they recover and regroup after a difficult loss.
The Importance of Accountability
Kelce’s comments come as a reminder that success in the NFL is not determined by one game but by the collective effort over the course of a season. For the Raiders, this loss serves as a learning experience—something they will need to grow from.
“What matters is how you respond,” Kelce continued, acknowledging the importance of mental toughness and accountability. In the face of such a humbling defeat, the Raiders will need to look inward, assess their performance, and refocus their efforts for the games ahead. Kelce's message is clear: bad games happen, but how a team bounces back is what will shape their season.
A Defining Moment for the Raiders
As the Raiders move forward, they will need to demonstrate their resilience in the coming weeks. With several key players, including tight end Darren Waller and defensive lineman Maxx Crosby, stepping up in previous seasons, there’s no question that the Raiders have the talent to recover from this loss. The team will have to dig deep, maintain their focus, and prove that they can execute at a higher level.
In the NFL, it's common to see teams struggle at times, but the ability to bounce back separates the contenders from the pretenders. For the Raiders, this loss is a wake-up call, but it’s also an opportunity to rise to the occasion.
Looking Ahead
With their bye week coming up, the Raiders have some time to reflect and make the necessary adjustments. Kelce’s belief in their potential is a reminder that the team isn’t defined by one tough outing—they’re defined by their ability to bounce back stronger. The key for the Raiders will be to stay focused, learn from their mistakes, and continue fighting for a playoff spot.
As Kelce said, "Everyone has bad games—what matters is how you respond." The Raiders have an opportunity to prove that they can respond in the right way.
