HENDERSON, Nev. — The NFL has a funny way of bringing enemies together. Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole found that out the hard way Monday when the team announced the signing of former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Segun Olubi to a one-year deal. For Cole, the arrival of the 26-year-old specialist is a relief, mostly because it means he no longer has to worry about Olubi flying off the edge at his shins.
The history between these two dates back to Week 5 of the 2025 season. In a game that Raiders fans would prefer to forget, Olubi broke through the line and absolutely smothered a Cole punt. The impact was so violent it sent Cole to the turf clutching his knee. That play didn’t just hurt; it set the Colts up at the eight-yard line for an easy touchdown and sent the Raiders’ special teams unit into a tailspin that eventually cost coordinator Tom McMahon his job in November. Cole survived the scare, but the memory clearly remains fresh.
General Manager John Spytek is aggressively flipping the roster after a dismal 3-14 campaign. Bringing in Olubi adds much-needed speed to a special teams group that allowed multiple blocks last season. While Olubi recorded 11 tackles as a specialist last year, his biggest contribution might be the peace of mind he gives his new punter.
“Glad he’s on our team now, LOL.”
— AJ Cole, Raiders Punter (via X)
Olubi is just one small piece of a massive reconstruction project in Sin City. New head coach Klint Kubiak, fresh off a Super Bowl ring with the Seattle Seahawks, is currently overseeing a spending spree that has the rest of the AFC West on notice. The Raiders already secured Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum and linebacker Quay Walker earlier this month. The defense is also getting a facelift with the addition of Nakobe Dean and Kwity Paye, the latter of whom reunites with Olubi after their time in Indianapolis.
The goal is simple: end the four-year playoff drought and provide a stable environment for whoever the Raiders select with the No. 1 overall pick in April. With Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza widely expected to be the selection, the Raiders are building a fortress of veterans to protect their future. For now, the “Silver and Black” are just happy to have the guy who blocked their punts on the right side of the line of scrimmage.
