Training camps have kicked off around the NFL, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The Las Vegas Raiders camp is taking place in Henderson, Nevada and Raiders reporter Ryan McFadden has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at camp. We will update this file often with the latest updates. Who are the breakouts to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Let's get into it all, and be sure to keep checking back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins on August 7.
Latest news from Raiders camp
Just like coach Pete Carroll, starting quarterback Geno Smith has already been established as an infectious leader within the locker room.
Through two days of training camp, players have been animated about the 34-year-old's leadership and the energy he has brought to the team since he arrived in Las Vegas in the spring.
"When you look at his age, you go, 'Maybe, he is a bit of an old man.' No, he has so much youth and fire in him," starting center Jackson Powers-Johnson said. "First time he stepped [into the building], he's lifting, throwing [and] talking trash. Age is not defining him."
After Smith, who was traded to the Raiders from Seattle, signed his two-year, $75 million contract extension in April, Powers-Johnson flew to Miami to meet with his new teammate to establish a connection.
Powers-Johnson said the relationship between him and Smith has to be "perfect."
"I want to be as close with him as I am with my brothers," Powers-Johnson said.
Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker said Smith's leadership is "out of the roof."
"He's a dog. I mean, his leadership, one of the first few days I met him, we got real connected," Tucker said. "We were throwing and stuff, but we got to go on a couple of car rides together and just talk. And hearing his story and what he's had to go through. That just makes him, him."
On Wednesday, Smith said the key to his leadership approach and getting acclimated to a new team is understanding that he still has something to prove.
"In this league, every day you've got to prove yourself, not only to your guys but to the rest of the league and yourself," Smith said. "And so for me, when you're coming to a new team, you've got to set the standard, set the example, and it's through hard work."
Wednesday, July 23
In the eyes of Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, coach Pete Carroll doesn't seem different after a year away from football. At 73, he is still an energetic coach whom Smith knew from their time together in Seattle.
"That's just the way that he is. He's always trying to improve," Smith said. "And for me, it's just great to see the energy that he continues to bring every single day. Our first team meeting was just jacked up."
Carroll's expectations for winning have remained unchanged, as well. On Tuesday, he made it clear that he is striving for at least 10 wins in his first season in Las Vegas.
"I've been winning 10 games a year for 20 years or something," Carroll said. "What are my expectations? We are going to win a bunch, and I don't care who hears that. I wish I could guarantee it."
Carroll has won at least 10 games in a season nine times in his coaching career. Meanwhile, the Raiders haven't won 10 games since 2021.
But his infectious spirit has players believing that they can turn things around.
"If you don't believe, then you're wasting your time," defensive end Maxx Crosby said. "We haven't won much in this since I've been here. ...I expect perfection and excellence every day, but overall, I can't do it by myself. Geno can't do it by himself. Pete can't do it by himself. It's got to be all of us. So we got to be delusional enough to believe in what we can truly do."
During the team period, the Raiders occasionally used three linebackers. Elandon Roberts and Devin White played Mike and Will linebackers, respectively, while Germaine Pratt came off the edge. Carroll said last month that he looked forward to seeing all three linebackers share the field at the same time.
Rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. continued to get first-team reps whenever the offense was in 11 personnel. Smith threw a deep ball to Thornton, but the pass attempt was incomplete.
Wide receiver Alex Bachman made an impressive two-handed catch near the sideline, showcasing his balance and footwork to stay in bounds.
The first day of practice featured strong attendance. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who is on the PUP list, and offensive lineman Thayer Munford Jr. (undisclosed) were the only players not practicing on Wednesday.