NEWSLETTER
It’s going to be an interesting offseason for the Raiders after a 6-11 season under head coach Josh McDaniels. The team will be looking for a QB and potentially a replacement for the NFL‘s leading rusher. Here’s what you need to know about Raiders free agency.
2023 Free Agents Overview for the Las Vegas Raiders
All eyes will be on quarterback Derek Carr and running back Josh Jacobs. Carr was benched at the end of the season with just two games left. He’s seeking a new team for 2023. Jacobs led the league in rushing while averaging 97.2 yards per game. He was a first-team all-pro and pro bowl selection. Running back Ameer Abdullah also has an expiring contract.
You can expect the Raiders offseason to address defense including the secondary and defensive line. Rock Ya-Sin, one of the better players in the defensive backfield, is scheduled to become a free agent.
Unfortunately, the team has plenty of gaps to fill on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. They will have a full list of players to target during free agency and April’s draft. Raiders’ general manager Dave Ziegler has his hands full determining who to re-sign as players hit the market. Also, who will be leading the offense at quarterback for the Raiders 2023 season opener?
Unrestricted Free Agents
An NFL player with four or more years of experience whose contract has expired or been voided is considered an unrestricted free agent. They have the freedom to negotiate with any team without any restrictions and can sign with any club without draft-choice compensation. Below is a list of expected unrestricted free agents for the Raiders in the 2023 season.
Quarterbacks
Derek Carr
Jarrett Stidham
Running Backs
Ameer Abdullah – RB
Josh Jacobs – RB
Jakob Johnson – FB
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Keelan Cole – WR
Mack Hollins – WR
Foster Moreau – TE
Centers, Guards, and Tackles
Jermaine Eluemunor – RT
Brandon Parker – T
Defensive tackles, Defensive Ends, Edge Rushers
Andrew Billings – DT
Tashawn Bower – DE
Clelin Ferrell – DE
Isaac Rochell – DE
Jerry Tillery – DT
Linebackers
Jayon Brown – ILB
Jordan Jenkins – OLB
Micah Kiser – ILB
Denzel Perryman – ILB
Cornerbacks and Safeties
Anthony Averett – CB
Matthias Farley – SS
Duron Harmon – SS
Sidney Jones – CB
Rock Ya-Sin – CB
Specialty
None.
Restricted Free Agents
A restricted free agent is a player who has played for three or fewer accrued seasons and has an expiring contract. The team can assign a tender to the player, which allows them to match any offer the player receives from other teams. The team receives draft compensation if the player signs elsewhere.
2023 NFL restricted free agents for the Raiders:
Curtis Bolton – LB
Jesper Horsted – TE
Roderic Teamer – S
Salary Cap and Roster
The salary cap is $224.8 million for the 2023 NFL season. There could be some big spending on 2023 NFL free agents in March as teams fill in team needs before the NFL Draft. It should be a busy 2023 offseason for the Raiders. They made a big splash last offseason trading for wide receiver Davante Adams.
The Raiders have a lot of cap space to use on free agency this offseason. The highest-paid players reside on the Raiders defense. Maxx Crosby is the biggest cap hit for the team at $20.5 million next season. Chandler Jones is second at $19.3 million.
The franchise is looking to make a splash since moving to Las Vegas and Allegiant Stadium in 2020. They haven’t reached the Super Bowl since 2002.
Raiders Free Agency 2023 FAQs
At 4 p.m. Eastern on March 15, 2023, NFL free agency will commence, signifying the start of the new league year and the end of all player contracts. Many players are set to hit the market and gain free agency status.
A restricted free agent can be extended what is called a qualifying offer. If offered, they are still allowed to negotiate with other teams around the league. Their current team is allowed to match any offer.
An unrestricted free agent is a player whose contract has expired, and they have no ties to their former team. Starting on March 15, they are free to negotiate with any team in the league without restrictions.
