A 3-0 start to the 2026 NFL season has Las Vegas Raiders fans living in the moment and basking in the glory of an undefeated record heading into a showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4 for the right to call themselves the best team in the AFC West through the first month of the campaign.
But Klint Kubiak and his team are taking things one day at a time and treating every game like it's the Super Bowl, not just Sunday's contest, even though it will have a lot of eyeballs on it. The decision-makers in the building are always thinking big-picture, too, and keeping their sights set on the future.
Where that leaves us is with a great appreciation for having a spotless record at this early juncture in the season, but still doing our due diligence with stuff like previewing next year's draft class and monitoring the spring's free agency crop, which includes internal and external players.
So, as we did after Week 1 and Week 2, let's play another game of Commit or Quit? Where we determine what the Raiders should do with their current players who are set to be available next March.
What to do with Las Vegas Raiders' 2027 free agency class after 3 games
Extension candidates
Malcolm Koonce
It's a good thing that decisions aren't made after opening weekend, because Koonce has rebounded in the last two games. On Sunday, he notched another strip sack to pair with six total pressures, and he is constantly improving against the run. Koonce may cash in with Las Vegas or some other team.
Post-Week 3 verdict: Commit
Tre Tucker
Tucker hasn't wowed anybody yet, and the bulk of his production on the year came in Week 2, but he had a solid 4-catch, 43-yard showing against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. With nobody else developing, I'd like to keep him around, especially because Kubiak likes him. If he hits the market, a team will overpay him, so the Raiders may have to bite the bullet and get this done early to keep him.
Post-Week 3 verdict: Commit
Cody White
I don't want to be a prisoner of the moment with White and act like he's going to keep up his one-touchdown-per-game pace forever, but he's a great special-teamer and a big, physical presence on offense with a strong set of hands. Teams have paid a lot more for a lot less in this league.
Post-Week 3 verdict: Commit
Bring back at the right price
Jeremy Chinn
Chinn is such a good run defender, but unfortunately, he struggles just as much in coverage. Surely, the Raiders could find an upgrade over him, but that's a dangerous risk to take because Chinn isn't disastrous by any means; he can get the job done. So, I would keep him, but only at the right price.
Post-Week 3 verdict: Commit
Foley Fatukasi
Fatukasi isn't making his presence felt as much as he did during the preseason and in Week 1, but he's a solid part of the rotation on the defensive interior, which has looked better than expected so far. He's a bit older, but if he can take somewhere near a vet minimum again, Las Vegas should run it.
Post-Week 3 verdict: Commit
Thomas Booker IV
Booker IV did not have his best showing down in New Orleans, as a neutral zone infraction was his marquee moment on defense. But he did block an extra point, which ended up changing the whole flow of the game. If he's dirt cheap, which I think he will be, then bring him back.
Post-Week 3 verdict: Commit
Need to see more
Patrick Johnson
Johnson had another crushing tackle on special teams, and he had a pressure in one of his five pass-rush snaps in Week 3. The sample size is still too small to say for sure what call to make, but Johnson continues to do what he is asked and would be a nice guy to keep around in whatever capacity.
Post-Week 3 verdict:Â Commit
Tristin McCollum
McColllum still didn't play any defensive snaps in Treydan Stukes' absence, and Isaiah Pola-Mao was struggling. Maybe the new coaching staff doesn't think much of him. But at his price point, which will be cheap, seeing as he is a restricted free agent, McCollum is worth keeping.
Post-Week 3 verdict: Commit
Matt Gay
Gay remains perfect on the year, both on field goals and extra points. He did kick one out of bounds down in New Orleans, but the Raiders should ride the veteran kicker until the wheels fall off, while still keeping an eye on a young leg that they could bring in as the long-term future answer.
Post-Week 3 verdict: Commit
Alex Ward
Until Ward, Gay or A.J. Cole start messing up, let's just not entertain any changes here.
Post-Week 3 verdict: Commit
Darrell Luter Jr.
Luter Jr. was inactive once again with Darien Porter back. He hasn't made any progress since coming to Las Vegas, so this seems like a no-brainer "quit." But I'd be willing to give him a chance. There's a reason they claimed him, and a bunch of other teams wanted him, right?
Post-Week 3 verdict: Quit
Get 'em out of here
Spencer Burford
Burford is already on the hot seat as a starter; at least he should be, so there's no reason to bring him back next year unless the Raiders can't find a feasible upgrade or he has a massive turnaround. He does okay in the run game, but Burford has already allowed 12 pressures, 6 of which came in Week 3.
Post-Week 3 verdict: Quit
Isaiah Pola-Mao
Quit. Pola-Mao gave up three touchdowns against the Saints. He either isn't as talented as fans thought he was during his time as Marcus Epps' fill-in, or he's just not a great fit for the defense in the last two years. Either way, there's no grounds for paying him any money if they don't have to.
Post-Week 3 verdict: Quit
Let 'em walk
Kirk Cousins
Admittedly, it feels weird to say this with Cousins playing the way that he is. But Fernando Mendoza is still the future, and unless they can find a way to rework his deal for super duper cheap, then Cousins and his big price tag have to go next offseason.
Post-Week 3 verdict: Quit
Aidan O'Connell
O'Connell still isn't back at practice as he deals with the loss of his father. Let's hold off on any judgment until he returns.
Ian Thomas
Thomas is looking like the well-rounded player that he has been billed to be but frequently fails to live up to. After a rough preseason, he's off to a solid start in the campaign, playing well in two of three games. But he doesn't move the needle, so Las Vegas can surely do better behind its elite young duo.
Post-Week 3 verdict: Quit
Dareke Young
Young hasn't done anything wrong, but Cody White does just as much as he does on special teams and can also contribute on offense. With wide receiver help needed next offseason, at the latest, Young doesn't have much of a leg to stand on for sticking around.
Post-Week 3 verdict: Quit
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