Las Vegas Raiders: Why these 4 big contracts need to be great in 2021

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 29: An Oakland Raiders helmet on the field before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 29: An Oakland Raiders helmet on the field before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Raiders throttled Denver Sunday
Nov 15, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden (left) and general manager Mike Mayock walk off the field after the game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 37-12. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Las Vegas Raiders head into the 2021 NFL season looking to finally get back to the playoffs, and these three high-dollar players must be great.

The Las Vegas Raiders are in a pretty good position when it comes to the salary cap. Although in 2021, they do not have much room to maneuver, the offseason is basically coming to a close, and rosters are almost certainly being finalized with training camp getting underway soon.

Next year is another story for the Raiders. The 2022 season could see quite a shakeup if a few players are not up to par this season. The Raiders are going into Year 4 under head coach Jon Gruden, and this year might be the most critical. The franchise has yet to reach the playoffs under Gruden, and with a ten-year contract signed by the coach, it seems that fingers will not be pointed at “Chucky”, but more or less the roster.

Over the last two seasons, the Raiders have faltered down the stretch, appearing to be a playoff team early on, and then playing terrible across the second half of the season. Las Vegas has handed out some big-dollar contracts to some crucial players, and we look at a few who need to be great in 2021 for this team to take the next step forward.

Let’s take a look at four players who need to step up in 2021 to earn their keep.