The Raiders' 2025 season is in jeopardy as star DT Christian Wilkins is lost for the year. How will new coach Pete Carroll handle this major crisis?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just as a new dawn was breaking in Las Vegas, a dark cloud has rolled in. The Raiders' 2025 season has been dealt a staggering blow before it even truly began, with news that star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins will miss the entire year after requiring a second surgery on a fractured foot. For a team desperate to turn the page, it's the first major crisis for the new leadership of Head Coach Pete Carroll and GM John Spytek.
'I had a feeling I was going to be here.' - Rookie RB Ashton Jeanty on being drafted by the Raiders.
The loss of Christian Wilkins, who is facing a lengthy recovery from a second procedure on a Jones fracture, is catastrophic. He was meant to be the anchor of Patrick Graham's defense. Now, GM John Spytek is forced to scramble. The front office is reportedly exploring all avenues, with veteran free agents like Jadeveon Clowney and Quinton Jefferson, and even potential trade target Trey Hendrickson, on the radar. Internally, the pressure mounts on players like Tyree Wilson, Leki Fotu, and Adam Butler to fill a void that suddenly looks cavernous.
While the defense reels, the offense is pushing forward with its own transformation under new coordinator Chip Kelly. The acquisition of veteran QB Geno Smith was a key move, but the real centerpiece of the rebuild is sixth overall pick Ashton Jeanty. The Raiders specifically targeted the running back to fix an anemic ground game that finished dead last in the NFL in 2024, averaging a paltry 79.8 yards per game. The urgency was real, as reports surfaced that the rival Denver Broncos nearly traded up to steal Jeanty before the Raiders could make their pick.
For his part, Jeanty is thrilled to be in Vegas. 'It was a great experience, very exciting. I had a feeling I was going to be here,' the rookie said. While quarterback Geno Smith noted Jeanty has yet to truly 'stand out' in OTAs, he also confirmed the plan is to get the young back involved 'early and often.' The team's success may hinge on it, especially as they try to control the clock and protect a defense that just lost its best player. However, for Jeanty to succeed, the offensive line will need to answer its own questions, particularly concerning guard Dylan Parham's ability to handle powerful interior rushers.
Despite being named one of the offseason's 'winners' for their leadership changes, the Raiders are now facing a brutal test of resolve. The Wilkins injury is a gut punch that redefines the team's defensive identity. The path back to relevance, and the quest to end a 22-year playoff win drought, just got significantly steeper. All eyes will now be on how Carroll and Spytek navigate this adversity and whether the hope invested in Ashton Jeanty can provide enough firepower to overcome it.
