Predict the 2026 record - your realistic expectations

[Viper]

With Mendoza needing time to adjust, an unproven O line and what I consider average receivers, I’m not really expecting to light it up on offense.

Defensively, we should be at least middle of the pack. That should go a long ways in helping stack wins.

Having said that, we are improved across the board yet still more work to do. I would predict we have 6 wins this year, double what we had last year. If Pete can manage 3 last year, I have faith with a better coaching staff we can do better. If we can beat the teams we’re supposed to plus staying close in the 4th quarter against better talent, we have a punchers chance in some of those.

Personally, at least another year or two to make some real noise if we nail FA and the draft.

[Attyla]

Arguing about who sucked worse last year with a brand new regime in town and Mendoza as our QB going into next year…………is funny

when you win 3 games there is plenty of blame to go around.

[Viper]

when you win 3 games there is plenty of blame to go around.

It hurts a bit more when it’s stated we lost 14 games last season.
Speaking the truth to shame the devil.

[raidersince63]

Arguing about who sucked worse last year with a brand new regime in town and Mendoza as our QB going into next year…………is funny

Agreed, but calling it "funny" is being kind...incessantly slamming a QB who is no longer here, and our current 3rd string QB who may not see action at all in 2026, is pointless and a complete waste of time.

[Xramfan]

Calling it "funny" is being kind...incessantly slamming a QB who is no longer here, and our current 3rd string QB who may not see action at all in 2026, is pointless and a complete waste of time.

Are you talking about the turd?

[Attyla]

It hurts a bit more when it’s stated we lost 14 games last season.
Speaking the truth to shame the devil.

I mean I get why we traded for Geno. On paper it made sense. He was a couple years removed from his best year as a pro and had strung together some decent seasons statistically. It wasn't like he was an INT machine or prone to being the reason for a team loss. We got a guy who was exactly what he was. A guy who looked for the high percentage passes but when he had to go deep he was out of his element. I am not defending him in saying that. Guys have extended their careers forever by playing that way. And in the business of football, being on a team gets you paid. I think you can point to him pressing too much for some of what happened. We completely screwed the pooch in how we played Jeanty. We had no answer at receiver and the line was terrible run blocking and average at best pass blocking. The play calling was horrible though. I know it is the flavor of the month to blame Carroll and Geno for our offensive output but Chip was hot garbage.

As I said, when you win three games, you can point the finger freely and you will not be wrong. Well, most the time. Those who blame Maxx? Yea they are wrong. But I am ready to get this thread back on point. The expectations for this year is to get the pieces headed in the right direction. And no, we are not even near getting this team to .500. In my estimation we are not a few pieces away. We need way more and way more depth to get to "a few pieces." I want to see Mendoza get his chance to shine and answer that question. Preseason will be telling so I am starting there. Let's see the offense with our QB of the future and see what Kubiak can do.

[BoKnows81]

I mean I get why we traded for Geno. On paper it made sense. He was a couple years removed from his best year as a pro and had strung together some decent seasons statistically. It wasn't like he was an INT machine or prone to being the reason for a team loss. We got a guy who was exactly what he was. A guy who looked for the high percentage passes but when he had to go deep he was out of his element. I am not defending him in saying that. Guys have extended their careers forever by playing that way. And in the business of football, being on a team gets you paid. I think you can point to him pressing too much for some of what happened. We completely screwed the pooch in how we played Jeanty. We had no answer at receiver and the line was terrible run blocking and average at best pass blocking. The play calling was horrible though. I know it is the flavor of the month to blame Carroll and Geno for our offensive output but Chip was hot garbage.

As I said, when you win three games, you can point the finger freely and you will not be wrong. Well, most the time. Those who blame Maxx? Yea they are wrong. But I am ready to get this thread back on point. The expectations for this year is to get the pieces headed in the right direction. And no, we are not even near getting this team to .500. In my estimation we are not a few pieces away. We need way more and way more depth to get to "a few pieces." I want to see Mendoza get his chance to shine and answer that question. Preseason will be telling so I am starting there. Let's see the offense with our QB of the future and see what Kubiak can do.

If you put a competent QB on that team last year, we'd have a few more wins. Without a doubt in my mind. Chip or no Chip. It's on tape. Geno singlehandedly lost games for us. Now in hindsight, obviously that wouldn't of been a good thing and Geno was not the only problem last year but he was in fact the main problem. Whatever, time to move on. Mendoza time.

[SkullCrusher]

when you win 3 games there is plenty of blame to go around.

Blame? For what? It was a resounding success!

[Viper]

I mean I get why we traded for Geno. On paper it made sense. He was a couple years removed from his best year as a pro and had strung together some decent seasons statistically. It wasn't like he was an INT machine or prone to being the reason for a team loss. We got a guy who was exactly what he was. A guy who looked for the high percentage passes but when he had to go deep he was out of his element. I am not defending him in saying that. Guys have extended their careers forever by playing that way. And in the business of football, being on a team gets you paid. I think you can point to him pressing too much for some of what happened. We completely screwed the pooch in how we played Jeanty. We had no answer at receiver and the line was terrible run blocking and average at best pass blocking. The play calling was horrible though. I know it is the flavor of the month to blame Carroll and Geno for our offensive output but Chip was hot garbage.

As I said, when you win three games, you can point the finger freely and you will not be wrong. Well, most the time. Those who blame Maxx? Yea they are wrong. But I am ready to get this thread back on point. The expectations for this year is to get the pieces headed in the right direction. And no, we are not even near getting this team to .500. In my estimation we are not a few pieces away. We need way more and way more depth to get to "a few pieces." I want to see Mendoza get his chance to shine and answer that question. Preseason will be telling so I am starting there. Let's see the offense with our QB of the future and see what Kubiak can do.

Teams need 22 starters, not including special teams players. I consider this to mean that these 22 would start on most teams, and in my view we have probably a little over half that number. This doesn’t even take into account depth for rest and injuries that happen to every team, every year. A .500 team isn’t realistic imo and will take at minimum a couple years to achieve playoff status. It’s just tough to be patient in the rebuild process after suffering for decades.
Expectations need to be gradual growth but always upward.

[mstrbass2000]

What was the excuse for the 5 games that Chip wasnt here and Geno started, while still looking horrendous? I'll wait....

it was still chips system with a few minor changes...you cant change systems in the middle of the yr when the game plan was created by chip

[mstrbass2000]

If you put a competent QB on that team last year, we'd have a few more wins. Without a doubt in my mind. Chip or no Chip. It's on tape. Geno singlehandedly lost games for us. Now in hindsight, obviously that wouldn't of been a good thing and Geno was not the only problem last year but he was in fact the main problem. Whatever, time to move on. Mendoza time.

i blame the coaches for the shitshow, they designed it, they wrote it and just about every player out there played shittier because of it

[BoKnows81]

it was still chips system with a few minor changes...you cant change systems in the middle of the yr when the game plan was created by chip

Lmao what? Stop moving the goalpost man. You said it was all Chip.

[mstrbass2000]

Blame? For what? It was a resounding success!

yes, we got fernando,kubiak and a new coaching staff because of it

[mstrbass2000]

Lmao what? Stop moving the goalpost man. You said it was all Chip.

chips system couldn't be changed mid way point of the season

[BoKnows81]

i blame the coaches for the shitshow, they designed it, they wrote it and just about every player out there played shittier because of it

I'll meet you halfway. You can blame Pete for bringing in his boy Geno. We'll agree to that.

[mstrbass2000]

I'll meet you halfway. You can blame Pete for bringing in his boy Geno. We'll agree to that.

me:pete and chip
you: geno

deal ...lol