The Raiders haven’t been in the big game in twenty-one years, and in 2023, they finished 8-9 and missed out on the postseason. They won’t be participating in the Super Bowl the next year either, if oddsmakers are to be believed.
It’s hardly the end of the world, though. The Raiders can afford to take their time if they want to create a championship-caliber team that is capable of winning in time for the next Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
The Super Bowl in 2020 will take place in New Orleans. Los Angeles will host the 2027 match, while Santa Clara, California, will host the 2026 match. February 2028 would be the earliest possible return date to Las Vegas. The Raiders will have at least four full seasons to rebuild their franchise into a contender if the NFL does award Las Vegas the Super Bowl in 2028 or one in later years.
In the NFL, four years is a long time. As the Josh McDaniels administration discovered the hard way, whole rosters may change in that period of time, along with the coaches and front office. Therefore, it’s not difficult to move from below.500 to the top of the AFC.
Making that happen is the job of general manager Tom Telesco and newly hired head coach Antonio Pierce. During Telesco’s first news conference last month, Pierce stated that winning a title was the team’s objective.
“We have a clear vision,” Pierce declared. “Take the division. Make it to the postseason and win the Lombardi Trophy. That’s our vision, not a promise.
How therefore can the Silver and Black go about assembling a team worthy of the Super Bowl before trying to win the Las Vegas 2028 championship?
Getsy will get interest from other teams as a head coach if he can turn the current quarterback, Aidan O’Connell, into a productive, high-scoring offence. Furthermore, one or both of Getsy and O’Connell won’t make it through the ensuing four years if the offence is unsuccessful.
The NFL is like that: Getsy and O’Connell haven’t even practiced together yet, but the team’s chances of winning the Super Bowl will probably depend on who the offensive coordinator and quarterback are next season.
