Rob Leonard and the Las Vegas Raiders' defense have struggled over the last five weeks, and at the core of their issues is a defensive tackle group that isn't getting the job done. And as they continue to search for solutions, not everyone can come along for the ride.
In a corresponding move to the activation of wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr., the Raiders waived Jonah Laulu earlier this week. He had been a key part of the interior rotation since being claimed on waivers in 2024, but Laulu wasn't brought in by this regime and fell out of favor.
While his departure may have been about the roster math in some ways, it actually could have had more to do with the fact that the Silver and Black believe in the young defensive tackle duo of JJ Pegues and Tim Keenan III, who were both active instead of Laulu during Week 7.
Raiders' Jonah Laulu release felt a bit shocking, but really wasn't
It seemed like a vote of confidence for the Raiders' defensive tackle room when John Spytek didn't add much to the unit this offseason. But the first red flag for Laulu was Tonka Hemingway instantly replacing him in the starting lineup at the onset of spring practices.
After starting 22 of 34 games since his return to Las Vegas (Laulu attended nearby Centennial HS) and 15 of 17 last year, Laulu played just 50 snaps in the first three games. That's how many he was playing every Sunday in 2025. And then in Week 4, he was a healthy scratch.
Las Vegas gave him 50 more snaps in Weeks 5 and 6 combined, and Laulu recorded 0.5 sacks against the New England Patriots. But he was a healthy scratch once again in Week 7, which left the writing on the wall for him with the Silver and Black.
Spytek could have released a safety like Tristin McCollum, a cornerback like Darrell Luter Jr. or a wide receiver like Dareke Young to make room for Thornton Jr., as those players have either been inactive almost every week or are dramatically underperforming in the same position room as Thornton Jr.
But the fact that Las Vegas felt comfortable parting ways with Laulu says a lot about where it feels the defensive tackle room is right now.
Laulu has since been claimed by the Tennessee Titans, where he will join a bevy of former Raiders players and executives. His opportunity to play could also be bigger than it was in Las Vegas, with Jeffery Simmons being traded to the Chicago Bears on Thursday morning.
Raider Nation thinks of Laulu as a fringe starter because of his history, but he was far from that under Klint Kubiak. Fans will remember his solid contributions and his great start to the 2025 season, but ultimately, Las Vegas seems to be signaling its belief in Pegues and Keenan III with this move.
Las Vegas seems to believe in JJ Pegues and Tim Keenan III
Pegues got the nod on game day over Laulu in Week 4, and he did again in Week 7. The twist was that last Sunday, Keenan III also got to be active after his Saturday elevation from the practice squad, so the Raiders were giving not just one, but two young defensive tackles a chance in his place.
And while Keenan III certainly had his ups and downs in the contest, it wasn't a bad NFL debut by any means. Pegues also had a nice showing, with two tackles and a forced fumble in 16 snaps. These two both displayed promise, and it appears that Las Vegas is clinging to that instead of Laulu.
Now, Laulu is still a young player as well, but he was claimed by Tom Telesco. Pegues was drafted by Spytek and Keenan III was brought in just a month or two ago by the tandem of Spytek and Kubiak. If it's close, the regime is always going to side with a slightly younger player whom they brought in.
The other thing about Pegues and Keenan III is that they can line up in the A gap and serve as a space-eating run-stopper, particularly the latter. And Laulu just never did that as a Raider. With other 3-techs like Hemingway, Adam Butler, Foley Fatukasi and Thomas Booker IV, Laulu had no role.
It'll be interesting to see how Las Vegas employs Pegues and Keenan III going forward, as they clearly have an easier path to playing time now. Hopefully, Laulu doesn't star with the Titans. But if Pegues and Keenan III become good players for the Raiders, it'll sting quite a bit less.
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