Graney: This could be the worst Raiders team ever
Summary
Ed Graney lays out a blunt assessment of the 2025 Las Vegas Raiders, arguing this edition belongs on the list of the franchise’s most inept. The column centres on the Raiders’ recent 24-10 defeat to the Cleveland Browns, a string of poor performances (including a 31-0 humiliation at Kansas City) and a 2-5 stretch that raises real questions about coaching, roster construction and leadership. Graney highlights offensive dysfunction under coordinator Chip Kelly, spotty quarterback play and frustrated fans — and suggests even minority owner Tom Brady needs to get more involved if anything is to change.
Key Points
- The Raiders lost 24-10 to the Browns, a result Graney uses to illustrate the team’s alarming decline.
- Recent results (including a 31-0 loss in Kansas City and a 2-5 run) place this team among the worst in franchise history.
- Offensive issues are acute: play-calling and production have been poor despite high-profile hires (Chip Kelly is the NFL’s highest-paid assistant this offseason).
- Quarterback Geno Smith has been under pressure and the offence has frequently failed to sustain drives or make big plays.
- Graney calls out leadership and roster decisions, even suggesting more hands-on involvement from owner/figurehead Tom Brady.
Context and Relevance
This column matters if you follow the Raiders, the AFC West or NFL coaching/ownership dynamics. The piece connects game results to bigger-picture questions: Are recent coaching hires delivering? Is the roster constructed to win now? For local fans and NFL observers, Graney’s column crystallises the immediate stakes — playoff hopes are fading and pressure on staff and management is mounting.
Why should I read this?
Want the no-nonsense, seat-of-your-pants verdict on why the Raiders are a mess right now? Graney cuts through the noise and lays it out — bad results, poor offence, questionable decisions. If you support the team (or enjoy NFL chaos), this saves you time and gives you the key takeaways fast.
Author style
Punchy and impatient — Graney doesn’t mince words. When the subject is this consequential for fans and the franchise, he cranks up the urgency: read the details if you care about what happens next for the Raiders.