LAS VEGAS — John Spytek is drawing a line in the sand. After the Baltimore Ravens tanked a blockbuster trade for Maxx Crosby citing “health concerns,” the Raiders GM confirmed Monday he refused to scrap his own free-agent agreements despite a sudden $24 million cap squeeze. The Silver and Black are moving forward with Crosby in the building and a massive chip on their shoulder.
Integrity Over Audits
The desert heat wasn’t the only thing sizzling in Henderson this morning. Spytek sat before reporters and made it clear that while Baltimore went back on their word, the Raiders wouldn’t follow suit. Vegas had already agreed to terms with 10 free agents based on the expected cap relief from the Crosby trade. When the Ravens pulled out, citing a “degenerative issue” in Crosby’s knee, Spytek faced a financial nightmare. He didn’t flinch. The Raiders kept every single handshake deal intact.
The roster overhaul is staggering. Headlining the class is center Tyler Linderbaum, who defected from Baltimore to sign a record-setting three-year, $81 million contract. Spytek also secured the “Georgia Connection,” reuniting linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean. These moves signal a total defensive rebuild for a team that finished with the league’s worst record in 2025. Adding Kwity Paye and trading for Bills cornerback Taron Johnson creates a unit that looks elite on paper, even if the bank account is tighter than expected.
“No. No, we never would operate like that. We made promises to these men and their families. If another organization chooses to back out when things get complicated, that’s on them. We do things the right way in Las Vegas.”
— John Spytek, Raiders General Manager
Draft Outlook and the Mendoza Era
Despite the failed trade costing the Raiders two extra first-round picks, the front office remains aggressive. Scouts are currently locked in on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The 2026 Heisman winner is the consensus choice for the No. 1 overall pick. Vegas holds that golden ticket. Mendoza’s arrival would finally give the Raiders the franchise signal-caller they’ve lacked since the move to Nevada.
The team still holds $24 million in cap space, more than enough to ink their rookie class and leave room for mid-season adjustments. The atmosphere in the facility is tense but focused. You could hear a pin drop when Spytek mentioned the Ravens, a clear sign that the Week 2 matchup against Baltimore is already circled in red. The Raiders aren’t just rebuilding; they’re playing with a grudge.
