There is never a dull moment covering the Las Vegas Raiders. On Monday, August 25th, WR Jakobi Meyers requested a trade. A few hours later, the Raiders agreed to terms with WR Amari Cooper on a one-year deal.
The Las Vegas Raiders remained active throughout the week. Here is a breakdown of their latest roster moves ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
QB Kenny Pickett
The Las Vegas Raiders acquired QB Kenny Pickett from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. Pickett was drafted 20th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022. He played two seasons with the Steelers, recording a 14-10 record as a starter before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.
Pickett was the backup quarterback in Philadelphia. However, when Eagles starting quarterback Jalen Hurts suffered a concussion late in the season, Pickett was called into action. In his lone start, the former first-round pick was solid, completing 10 of 15 passes for 143 yards and one touchdown against division rival Dallas Cowboys in Week 17.
With QB Aidan O’Connell on injured reserve, Kenny Pickett will serve as the primary backup to quarterback Geno Smith. The two trained together in the offseason, and Pickett expressed his excitement in reuniting with the veteran quarterback in Las Vegas.
“Geno is awesome. We got to work together every day in the offseason. It’s actually crazy how this game works. He was kind of my training partner. We were pushing each other every day in the weight room and on the field. We were throwing like three times a week. It’s really funny now that we’re teammates, and we’re kind of picking up right where we left off. He’s an awesome guy to learn from.”
LB Brennan Jackson
Las Vegas Raiders’ GM, John Spytek, stayed busy after constructing the initial 53-man roster, claiming LB Brennan Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams.
During his rookie season, Jackson appeared in seven games with the Rams, earning a 68.9 PFF Pass Rush grade. This preseason, the former fifth-round draft pick recorded three sacks. The Raiders are hoping defensive line coach Rob Leonard can continue to develop the 6-foot-4, 263-pound pass rusher.
S Tristin McCollum
The Raiders claimed safety Tristin McCollum from the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2024, McCollum appeared in 14 games, recording 33 total tackles and two pass breakups. The 6-3, 195-pound safety has the prototypical size and length Head Coach Pete Carroll looks for in his defensive backs. With safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. starting the season on injured reserve, it will be interesting to see how the Raiders deploy McCollum during the first few weeks of the regular season.
OT Stone Forsythe
The 6-8, 307-pound offensive tackle reunites with HC Pete Carroll in Las Vegas. Stone Forsythe played under Pete Carroll in Seattle for three seasons. In a corresponding move, the Raiders have released 2022 seventh-round draft pick Thayer Munford Jr.
–Follow Dan Loya on X @DLoya_NFL
