New Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski revealed why he chose the Silver and Black over other options in free agency
Nick Kwiatkoski wasted little time announcing that he was joining the Las Vegas Raiders on the first day of free agency. The former Chicago Bears linebacker was one of the top targets for the Raiders this offseason and both parties were eager to announce the move before the ink was even dry on the contract.
Kwiatkoski was pushed in to a starting role for the Bears in 2019 after a season ending injury to Danny Trevathan and he excelled. He was called in to that role in the past, including starting seven games his rookie season, but 2019 was the longest stretch of consistent starts and it showed in the numbers. Kwiatkoski set career highs in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, and even recorded the first interception of his four-year career.
The Raiders and Kwiatkoski agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract that clearly suggests he is coming to Las Vegas to be a full-time starter for the first time in his career and the Pittsburgh native is ready to grasp that opportunity with both hands.
When asked by NBC Sports Bay Area why he chose the Raiders, the opportunity to be a full-time starter was one of the main reasons he made the move.
"“I felt that I’ve earned that [starting] spot, and that’s something I looked for in free agency. When they told me that, it was very appealing. They called very early and, when I spoke to them, it was very clear there’s an excitement around the whole organization with the move to Las Vegas.That was one of a number of reasons why I [made my decision]. When we played them in London last year and I just loved the mentality they brought to the game where they come right at you. With their defensive scheme, I thought I’d fit right in. I gave it some time and took some other calls, but I ended up thinking the Raiders were the best fit for me.”Source: NBC Sports Bay Area"
Aside from the opportunity to start it is clear that the excitement surrounding the Raiders move to Las Vegas was a major factor and that is likely the case for other free agents as well. The state of the art facilities and stadium have become a major recruiting tool for the Raiders along with the organizational stability that they have had little of in the past two decades.
Kwiatkoski and fellow free agent signing Cory Littleton form the best linebacker corps the Raiders have had for years and they represent a change in organizational mentality to finally invest properly at that position. The pair also represent the mentality the Raiders are looking for in their signings and draft picks, guys who are not afraid to grind their way to the top and work hard for every opportunity.
Littleton worked his way up from an undrafted special teamer to an every down linebacker for the Rams and Kwiatkoski Is hoping to go from fourth round afterthought to a star for the Raiders. If both players show the same grit and tenacity in Las Vegas as they have so far in their careers then the Raiders will be set at the linebacker position for a very long time.