Define Success in 2026

[Willmark]

For me success hinges on how closely we track to two previous teams: the 2015 Raiders and the 1958 Green Bay Packers.

Consider.
2015 Raiders A young team on the rise and we were in almost every game. We won some close ones and lost some close ones on the way to a 7-9 record. I note this as it was an improvement from 2014 and 3-13 in 2014. There was a sense of improvement all around; a sense that after a decade of crap our fortunes were improving. While I don't expect history to play out again, the parallels are there.

1958 Packers What the Hell does this have to do with us I hear you ask? A lot. The Packers went 1-10-1 in 1958, it was part of a streak where they had been horrible for something like 10-15 years prior. In 1959 They went 7-5 under a football coach you may have heard of: Vince Lombardi.

Why is this important, is the ghost of Vince going to walk through the door or we get a coach like him? Unless his grandson walks in, no. Its also not the point. There are actually two points to this. 1. The right coach makes all the difference. 2. The 1958 Packers had 12 players who were either All-Pro or would go on to the Hall of Fame. That doesn't mean we have that level of talent on the roster. What I am pointing out we have a LOT more talent than people give us credit for.

This isn't wishful thinking, its rationally pointing out that yes we finished 3-14, but there is a lot more than meets eye to the Raiders roster. Adding the right coach and Mendoza could change things quickly.

Lastly, this is not me buying into the Kool Aide. This is me saying that there is lot to build on here, a lot more than everyone gives us credit for and while I don't expect a one-year turnaround, we could very well see a repeat the season of the two teams I outlined.

How about you, what does success in 2026 look like for you?

[riseNraid09]

LMAO...this is some funny shit...people losing their cabbage on a message board...again, words are cheap.

We have not hired a coach or signed one free agent and people think we have turned the corner.

why is someone disagreeing with your "cheap words" automatically deemed as "people losing their cabbage...?"

some people can't handle opposing viewpoints.

[riseNraid09]

It makes no sense? We just gave up the most sacks with our oline with an IQ of 12 and our QB that played well before coming here (3 times in a row now) has been obliterated to the point they rather not go back on the field. Our prize RB got smashed as well. Let's not act like we haven't seen what we've seen. Mendoza will play, just be smart because I can totally see what the forum would look like post-stupid.

Most top QB's still flame out and I'm sure "it's the team there on" as a major factor. So do we just repeat history with the bravado, get him out there! Sink or swim? Folks, we're the Jets to. We're the Browns as well.

you left out the part where our QB threw a league-leading amount of interceptions... AND lost multiple games because of it.

we need a damn QB. the offensive line is going to be improved, no question. assuming Mendoza will be behind last years line is a pointless hypothetical. so yes, you start him week 1.

[SkullCrusher]

you left out the part where our QB threw a league-leading amount of interceptions... AND lost multiple games because of it.

we need a damn QB. the offensive line is going to be improved, no question. assuming Mendoza will be behind last years line is a pointless hypothetical. so yes, you start him week 1.

Right because he's panicked because of the line. It's why pressure matters even more than sacks. Because when you do get the proper time 1 out of 4 chances, that one time you aren't aware this will be the time and with that your clock is always on sped up. He never settled, we never allowed him. It is probably like week one was the best Geno, because he was in that mode yet. It's easy for us with a birds eye view knowing when and when he doesn't have time.

It's unwise to assume he must/will start week one, that's the ideal but imo you see if he and the oline is ready.

[raidersince63]

And there are people that twist other's words and claim that they said something that they did not. Nobody said they wanted to bury Mendoza on the depth chart.


But it'll be OK...no, really...it'll be OK.

[SkullCrusher]

Oh no, there are fans who want to bury the guy for at least a few games regardless. These are the same fans who want us to draft multiple QBs in the draft regardless. the regardless fans are fcking idiots and I don't mid saying so.

The second one yeah I'm no fan taking a "flyer" on late round QB's. There are other positions where you have a much better chance of landing a contributor. We will sink or swim with Mendoza for at least a few years. It really is amazing how few QB's really have careers that satisfy fans and it drops off really fast the further you go down. Brady/Purdy shows it's not impossible, but we need bodies everywhere yet once again.

[raidersince63]

why is someone disagreeing with your "cheap words" automatically deemed as "people losing their cabbage...?"

some people can't handle opposing viewpoints.

Ummm..."people that live in glass houses..."

[HesterLayes]

We all have watched enough ball to where if we see a young team progressing in 26 we will know it.

Pull a few upsets…be super competition most games…don’t have the blowouts and no effort games(Carolina Red Rocket).

The newly put together Oline opens actual holes for Jeanty,Mendoza looks promising,and Bowers stays healthy and dominates.Thats all I want for 26.

Not putting a win total in my head at all

[riseNraid09]

Right because he's panicked because of the line. It's why pressure matters even more than sacks. Because when you do get the proper time 1 out of 4 chances, that one time you aren't aware this will be the time and with that your clock is always on sped up. He never settled, we never allowed him. It is probably like week one was the best Geno, because he was in that mode yet. It's easy for us with a birds eye view knowing when and when he doesn't have time.

It's unwise to assume he must/will start week one, that's the ideal but imo you see if he and the oline is ready.

so, you believe Geno was as bad as he was solely because he had an inadequate offensive line? not because of his limitations as a player?

[riseNraid09]

Ummm..."people that live in glass houses..."

yeah, that answered nothing.

[raidersince63]

It's unwise to assume he must/will start week one, that's the ideal but imo you see if he and the oline is ready.

Thank you, but it's odd that it's OK for one person to feel that way but not another...again, very odd.

[raidersince63]

yeah, that answered nothing.

lol...I can explain it for you, but I cannot understand it for you.

[SkullCrusher]

so, you believe Geno was as bad as he was solely because he had an inadequate offensive line? not because of his limitations as a player?

For the most part yes. How? Because his last 4 years prior we're superior. Like Min, like G even though he was a noodle arm.

[Xramfan]

For the most part yes. How? Because his last 4 years prior we're superior. Like Min, like G even though he was a noodle arm.

Geno was “superior”?

Huh

I didn’t follow him much so I can’t confirm or deny that he was superior the last 4 years but I do recall roughly half the Raider fan base was very concerned about signing him because of his turnovers. These concerns were everywhere prior to his first game as a Raider and the blame was not the oline.

[SkullCrusher]

Geno was “superior”?

Huh

I didn’t follow him much so I can’t confirm or deny that he was superior the last 4 years but I do recall roughly half the Raider fan base was very concerned about signing him because of his turnovers. These concerns were everywhere prior to his first game as a Raider and the blame was not the oline.

Yes Geno's past several years were superior to what he did last year with us. This is news? The stats are public.

[NoThanksSir]

With an asset as valuable as the 1st overall pick, I think you absolutely need to protect the asset if things don't go as planned. But I think it's absolutely backwards to start the season with him on the bench. If he takes 4 sacks in game 1 and looks shell shocked, yes we need a veteran option to take the beating while he's slowly brought along

But what if he lights it up, has a quick release that avoids hits, and we win? I just think you have to start him week 1 and see what you have. But I would not be opposed to benching him if the line is a disaster and we're losing games.