Spytek and coach Pete Carroll are on the same page in making the run game an integral part of the offense. Jeanty, who rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024, can provide an immediate boost to the Raiders’ offense, which finished last in rushing yards per game at 79.8.
Outside of running back, Spytek said the team remains “open-minded” when it comes to drafting a quarterback.
“You guys have all done your investigative journalism well enough to know that we brought some quarterbacks in. And that wasn’t by accident,” Spytek said. “We remain open to the most important position in sports to get right.”
The position is not as big of a need for the organization after trading for Geno Smith and signing the former Seahawks starter to a two-year, $75 million extension that can be worth up to $85.5 million and includes $66.5 million in guaranteed money, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
At the same time, Smith doesn’t have any guaranteed money after 2026, and that could potentially open the door for the Raiders adding a rookie quarterback to develop.
The Raiders have done their due diligence in evaluating quarterbacks during the draft process. This week, Las Vegas hosted Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders for a top-30 visit. They’ve also met with other quarterback prospects such as Quinn Ewers, Jaxson Dart and Will Howard.
“If you start forcing players because you need them, you end up regretting that. And you also can’t have enough good players in certain positions, too,” Spytek said. “Sometimes what doesn’t feel like a need right now becomes a need after one or two injuries during the season, and then you’re thankful you took this really good player.”
