One of the Las Vegas Raiders' potentially underrated moves just got blocked by an AFC rival
The Las Vegas Raiders submitted an offer to a free agent that they really, really liked. But, now they have to move on, after signing that player seemed like it would for sure happen. One AFC rival blocked them. Coming into free agency it was very evident that the Raiders would need to get two […]
The Las Vegas Raiders submitted an offer to a free agent that they really, really liked. But, now they have to move on, after signing that player seemed like it would for sure happen. One AFC rival blocked them.
Coming into free agency it was very evident that the Raiders would need to get two more linebackers. We knew there was a possibility at least one of their unrestricted free agents at the position would not return. Now, both didn't return, as Robert Spillane took a big-time deal with the New England Patriots, and Divine Deablo took a nice deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
So, the Raiders immediately looked at former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts, and they saw something special in him for what the price would be worth. Las Vegas signed Roberts to a one-year deal with $3 million. That's a steal, as Roberts has the potential to be the biggest steal in free agency.
But now they need to replace Deablo. And, they could do that in the 2025 NFL Draft, or they could continue to do it in free agency. The Raiders offered former Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss, who is a restricted free agent, a contract offer. Being a restricted free agent means one outside team can offer a contract, and the team who he played for the year prior, has the opportunity to match the deal.
On Monday, the deadline for the Patriots to match the offer sheet, the Raiders were notified that they would not be able to sign Elliss. The Patriots blocked the move by signing him back to their roster.
Now, the Raiders will either look for another free agent linebacker, which I will soon be writing out a piece about the remaining LBs available, or they can wait till the 2025 NFL Draft, where the LB position is pretty deep.
Las Vegas Raiders signing Elandon Roberts may be one of the biggest steals of free agency that no one is talking about
The Raiders love what they see.
