An offseason full of personnel upgrades was always going to put incumbent Las Vegas Raiders players in a bit of peril. This is especially true for low-dollar, unestablished guys who were brought in by a different front office or heralded by a past coaching staff. This is life in the NFL.
That is exciting in a lot of ways for Raider Nation, as ultimately, nothing comes before The Shield. If the Silver and Black are better, then that is undeniably a good thing, even if that comes at the expense of a player or two. It just stings a bit more when the ousted player is a fan favorite.
With Las Vegas' preseason finale taking place on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers and roster cutdown day imminent on Sunday, this fanbase may be watching a handful of fan favorites play for the Raiders for the final time.
3 Raiders fan favorites may be playing final game for LV against 49ers
Shedrick Jackson, WR
Jackson was the star of the show last preseason, and as a relative of the legendary Bo Jackson, Shedrick quickly became a fan favorite. He even got a chance to play during the 2025 regular season and made some solid plays, but he just hasn't stood out much at all this summer in Las Vegas.
With Kubiak making it clear that the Raiders are still looking for wide receiver help, Jackson could step up in the finale and make a case. But that help is more likely to come from outside the building. Jackson may end up on the practice squad, but a clean cut shouldn't surprise anyone either.
Kansei Matsuzawa, K
Matsuzawa's incredible story, nickname and college career made him the people's choice to win the kicker battle early on. But a disappointing preseason, which includes a landing zone violation, a missed 38-yarder and two missed extra points, has him facing his inevitable doom of being waived.
Because he carries an IPP exemption, Matsuzawa could be stashed on the practice squad, as the coaching staff still seems to like and believe in him. But it's unlikely, at least this year, that The Tokyo Toe will suit up for the Raiders. And if another kicker becomes available, maybe he never will.
Aidan O'Connell, QB
Is O'Connell a fan favorite?
I think so. His play on the field is a bit polarizing, but Raider Nation will always have fond memories of him from his rookie season, and this fanbase respects what he's gone through in Las Vegas, even if they have differing opinions about his ceiling or floor as a player. He's a good guy to have around.
But he hasn't made the strongest case to be on the 53-man roster, and he is too good to be kept on the practice squad. With so many other positions in need of help, it would be foolish to keep three quarterbacks, so O'Connell could finally be traded. Or he'll head to waivers, where he won't last long.
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