The Las Vegas Raiders signed LT Kolton Miller to a $66M extension on July 31, 2025. See why GM John Spytek and Coach Pete Carroll locked down their star.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
In the biggest move of training camp so far, the Las Vegas Raiders have secured their blindside protector for the long haul. The team announced on Thursday that they've signed franchise left tackle Kolton Miller to a massive three-year, $66 million contract extension. The deal, which includes $42.5 million in guaranteed money, is a clear statement from new GM John Spytek and Head Coach Pete Carroll: building a winner starts in the trenches.
'We're giving everybody a chance, mix guys with the ones and the twos all the way throughout just to gather a bunch of information.' - Head Coach Pete Carroll
The deal keeps Miller, a model of consistency and durability, in Silver and Black through the 2028 season. Since being drafted in the first round in 2018, he has started 107 of a possible 109 games, including all 17 last season. Pro Football Focus rated him the 13th-best tackle in the league in 2024, and his presence provides critical stability for an offense that will be breaking in its fourth new starting quarterback in as many seasons. Instead of holding out for a new deal, Miller put his head down and went to work, a move that clearly paid off and set the tone for the new culture being built in Vegas.
While Miller provides stability on one side of the ball, the defensive front is a hotbed of competition. The surprising release of Christian Wilkins has opened the door for 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson, who now faces immense pressure to make a significant leap. Coach Carroll made it clear that no jobs are safe, emphasizing a wide-open evaluation process. 'We're giving everybody a chance,' Carroll told reporters, noting that players are rotating between the first and second teams. Young linemen like Jonah Laulu, Leki Fotu, and Zach Carter, along with rookies Tonka Hemingway and JJ Pegues, are all battling to prove they belong in the rotation.
The focus on youth and evaluation extends to the entire roster, especially after a disappointing 4-13 campaign in 2024. The Raiders are counting on immediate contributions from their 2025 draft class, headlined by dynamic Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. The first-round pick is expected to inject life into the backfield, while second-round receiver Jack Bech and third-rounder Darien Porter will also be given every opportunity to make an impact. For a franchise desperate to end a 22-year drought without a playoff victory, these new faces represent a critical part of the rebuild under Spytek and Carroll.
Securing a cornerstone like Kolton Miller is a massive first step for the new regime, but it's just that—a first step. With fierce competition brewing on the defensive line and a new class of rookies eager to prove themselves, the real evaluation is about to begin. All eyes now turn to the preseason opener against the Seahawks on August 7th, which will offer the first real glimpse into what the Pete Carroll era will look like in Las Vegas. The foundation is being laid, but the real work is just getting started.
