Las Vegas Raiders: 3 offensive gambles that didn’t pay off in 2021

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 14: General manager Mike Mayock of the Las Vegas Raiders talks on the field during warmups before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 41-14. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 14: General manager Mike Mayock of the Las Vegas Raiders talks on the field during warmups before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 41-14. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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May 21, 2019; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) and lineman Jordan Devey (70) during organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2019; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) and lineman Jordan Devey (70) during organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders have struggled mightily on the offensive side of the ball as of late, and these three gambles are the big reason why.

Going into the 2021 NFL season, the Las Vegas Raiders revamped their roster in a big way on both sides of the ball. The Silver and Black decided it was best to blow up their offensive line, trading away starters in Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, and Trent Brown, while also letting some key playmakers walk in free agency.

On defense, they added some great talent, including the likes of Casey Hayward and Yannick Ngakoue via free agency, and defensive backs Trevon Moehrig and Nate Hobbs in the 2021 NFL Draft. Overall, it seemed like a great offseason for the defense, and throughout the season, there has been a lot of good to come out of it.

The offense, on the other hand, has not been great for quite some time now, and a lot of that has to do with the lack of weapons, as well as an offensive line that is one of the worst in football. The Raiders are still fighting for their playoff lives entering Week 15, but one thing is for sure, some of the moves they made this offseason have not worked out.

Before the season kicked off, we looked at three gambles on offense that the Raiders were making, and how they needed to pay off in 2021. Safe to say, the Raiders gambled and lost.

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