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Raiders: 5 moves to clear $13 million in cap space for 2022

By Brad Weiss

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 21: Outside linebacker Cory Littleton #42 of the Las Vegas Raiders prepares for a play during the second half of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Allegiant Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bengals defeated the Raiders 32-13. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 21: Outside linebacker Cory Littleton #42 of the Las Vegas Raiders prepares for a play during the second half of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Allegiant Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bengals defeated the Raiders 32-13. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /
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Sep 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden celebrates a 26-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers with linebacker Cory Littleton at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden celebrates a 26-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers with linebacker Cory Littleton at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports /

Raiders: 5 moves to clear $13 million in cap space for 2022

Cory Littleton has to go

The 2020 offseason was a big one for the Raiders, who had just come off a 7-9 record in Jon Gruden’s second season back at the helm of the franchise. That was a three-win improvement, but if the Raiders wanted to take the next step, they would need an influx of elite talent via free agency.

The key in that free-agent period was Cory Littleton, a playmaking linebacker who was an All-Pro player with the Los Angeles Rams. The Raiders gave him a monster contract, signing him to a three-year/$36 million deal, and expecting him to be a turnover machine for a defense that struggled to get them in 2019.

Unfortunately, Littleton’s tenure with the team has been a disaster, as first, it was Paul Guenther’s system, but things did not improve with Gus Bradley as defensive coordinator last year. Sure, the dead cap money is big, but he brings nothing to the table, and by cutting him, the Raiders would save nearly $1.8 million in cap space.

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