LAS VEGAS — Mark Davis is reaching for the reset button again. Following a disastrous 3-14 campaign that saw Pete Carroll ousted after just one season, the Las Vegas Raiders officially hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But with a roster full of holes and a coaching revolving door that won’t stop spinning, the franchise faces a franchise-altering choice: draft a quarterback or auction the pick to the highest bidder.
The Coaching Carousel and the Harbaugh Shadow
The Raiders are currently one of six NFL teams with a head coaching vacancy, but their situation is uniquely expensive. Davis is still reportedly paying off a mountain of debt to former coaches, including Josh McDaniels, Antonio Pierce, and now Pete Carroll. Despite the financial baggage, one name has emerged to electrify the fan base: John Harbaugh.
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Harbaugh, the second-longest tenured coach in the league before his recent departure from Baltimore, is widely considered the “gold standard” for stability. Adding him to the AFC West would set up a sibling rivalry for the ages against Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers.
“If you’re going to get rid of John Harbaugh… do you have a better answer? He’s going to be tough to replace, but he is now available… It would be a lot of fun to have two Harbaughs in the AFC West.” — Amy Trask, Former Raiders CEO
To Trade or Not to Trade?
While the temptation to grab a “generational” quarterback at No. 1 is high, the Raiders’ needs extend far beyond the signal-caller. The roster was gutted during the 2025 season, leaving the defense and offensive line in shambles. Former CEO Amy Trask argues that the Raiders should act as “Emmy-award winning actors” in the trade market, feigning interest in keeping the pick to drive up the price.
The Case for Trading Down:
- Volume over Variety: Amassing 3-4 high-value picks can fix multiple units simultaneously.
- The QB Risk: The draft is rarely a perfect science; high-profile busts are common.
- Free Agency Bridge: Using the No. 1 pick’s value to trade for a proven veteran or stack picks for a deeper roster.
The Raiders’ front office must decide if they want to gamble the entire future on one rookie or use their leverage to rebuild the foundation. With Tom Brady expected to take a more prominent role in the building, the pressure to make a “splash” move is peaking.
What’s Next for Raider Nation?
The 2026 schedule looks brutal. With the Chiefs in a rare “down year” at the end of 2025, the window to strike in the AFC West is technically open, but only if the Raiders stop the internal bleeding. Collaboration between Mark Davis, Tom Brady, and the next head coach isn’t just a goal—it’s a requirement for survival.
Whether they stay at No. 1 or move back, the Raiders cannot afford another “one-and-done” coaching tenure. The silver and black need a culture, not just a draft pick.
