Although the vibes are still high for this 3-1 Las Vegas Raiders team, any feeling of invincibility should be gone now after their first loss of the year to the Kansas City Chiefs. And without the rose-colored glasses that accompany being undefeated, we can evaluate this Raiders team even more earnestly.
While a single game doesn't tell the whole story for a player or erase the work that they did through the first three weeks, a lot can be exposed in a loss. Las Vegas had several key players, a number of whom are up for contracts next year, flop in this big AFC West showdown when it mattered most.
So, just as we have been doing every week, we'll play one of our favorite games: Commit or Quit? Where we decide, admittedly, well ahead of time, what the Silver and Black's front office should do with the players on the current roster who are poised for free agency during the spring.
What to do with Las Vegas Raiders' 2027 free agency class after 3 games
Extension candidates
Malcolm Koonce
Koonce had been on a tear before the Chiefs game, but he did not come with his "A" game on Sunday. UDFA rookie Kahlil Benson shut him out of the box score, as Koonce didn't record a single stat other than a pressure and a missed tackle. His stock is definitely down, but Koonce has played well overall.
Post-Week 4 verdict:Â Commit
Tre Tucker
Tucker was in Week 4 who Tucker always is: solid, but nothing really crazy. Sure, he can go off in a game, but most Sundays are going to look like the one against Kansas City, where Tucker had four catches for 44 yards. His drop at the end was bad, but he's playing well enough to stick around.
Post-Week 4 verdict:Â Commit
In a word: Keep
Cody White
White proved that he can catch the ball outside the end zone at Allegiant Stadium this past weekend, as he reeled in two grabs for 36 yards and no scores, including a nice one near the sideline. His route-running is actually solid, thanks to his physicality, and White could have a role going forward.
Post-Week 4 verdict:Â Commit
Matt Gay
Gay remains perfect for the year, both on field goals and extra points, and his kickoffs have been nearly perfect. On Sunday, he made all four of his field goal attempts, including one from 48 yards, and he nailed his only extra point for a total of 13 points in the ballgame. That's worth a solid deal.
Post-Week 4 verdict: Commit
Alex Ward
The Raiders had special teams issues, but they weren't Ward's fault. So, keep him, but no need to get all crazy giving him an extension or anything.
Post-Week 3 verdict:Â Commit
Bring back at the right price
Jeremy Chinn
The biggest question about Chinn is his ability to cover, but he showed improvement in that realm on Sunday against the Chiefs. While he did his usual work against the run, contributing five tackles, Chinn only gave up one catch for six yards. If he keeps playing like that, keep him!
Post-Week 4 verdict:Â Commit
Foley Fatukasi
Fatukasi just isn't going to be the impact player that Raider Nation thought he would be, and that is okay; he is still a useful part of the defensive tackle rotation. He chipped in three tackles in 31 snaps on Sunday, which is fine, but surely Las Vegas can do better at the position next offseason.
Post-Week 4 verdict:Â Quit
Thomas Booker IV
Booker IV, like Fatukasi, is a fine piece in the defensive interior room, and he pitched in three tackles against Kansas City as well. But he doesn't change the game, and he is at least part of the problem with the run defense. The Raiders should search for an upgrade, not more of the same here.
Post-Week 4 verdict:Â Quit
Need more time to evaluate
Patrick Johnson
Johnson actually recorded a pressure on one of his four defensive snaps, but he really struggled on special teams, surprisingly. He did make one tackle, but Johnson actually missed two in Week 4, which is unlike him. If he can't be flawless in that phase of the game, it is futile to keep him around.
Post-Week 3 verdict:Â Quit
Tristin McCollum
McCollum was inactive after not playing last week when Treydan Stukes was out. It just feels like the new coaching staff doesn't appreciate him as much as the last one did, and that's okay. Perhaps as a restricted free agent, he'll stick around because he's cheap. But not because they view him favorably.
Post-Week 3 verdict:Â Quit
Darrell Luter Jr.
Luter Jr. was inactive for the third time in four weeks. While there was initially a sense that he just needed to learn the system after coming to Las Vegas late in the process, it is becoming clearer that the team just doesn't really have a plan for him, so there would be no need to keep him in the fold.
Post-Week 3 verdict:Â Quit
Get 'em out of here
Spencer Burford
Burford didn't have his worst week at left guard, but he was exactly lights out. The problem is that Caleb Rogers didn't look great either, so the Raiders may be forced to keep Burford as insurance next spring if Rogers doesn't develop. Or, they could let him walk and draft or sign a big-time guard.
I lean toward the latter.
Post-Week 3 verdict:Â Quit
Isaiah Pola-Mao
Pola-Mao did not play on defense yet again, and he missed a tackle on special teams. At this rate, if someone wants to send a conditional 7th-rounder for him at the deadline, Las Vegas should do it. And they definitely should look for an upgrade over him next spring, which shouldn't be too tough.
Post-Week 3 verdict:Â Quit
Dareke Young
Young fumbled the game away and whiffed on a block that could have led to an explosive play for Mike Washington Jr. For a guy who was brought on board to be a reliable special-teamer and good blocker, Young has failed to do the job so far.
Post-Week 3 verdict:Â Quit
Let 'em walk
Kirk Cousins
Cousins was not the problem on Sunday. In fact, he kept the Raiders in the game. But once the book closes on the 2026 NFL season, it'll be the Fernando Mendoza show in Las Vegas, and Cousins is too expensive to bring back. Maybe he can be traded. But he won't be kept on his current deal, for sure.
Post-Week 3 verdict:Â Quit
Aidan O'Connell
O'Connell returned to the team for Week 4's game and was the emergency third quarterback. Until we see him play in a game, it's hard to say what the future holds. But based on what he's said, O'Connell may want a chance to start somewhere. That won't be with the Silver and Black.
Ian Thomas
Thomas had his best game of the year against the Chiefs, catching a touchdown and making another grab. His blocking wasn't great, but he did contribute on special teams. Thomas could stick around, and nobody would be too upset, but as I've said every week, an upgrade has to be out there.
Post-Week 3 verdict:Â Quit
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