Pete Carroll's "comPETE" motto quickly fell on deaf ears for Las Vegas Raiders fans as they watched several undeserving players take a lion's share of the snaps in 2025. Even worse was that those he knew from his previous stop were clearly above reprimand and were never really held accountable.
Klint Kubiak, like any good coach, came to Las Vegas this offseason and once again preached the idea of competition. But the difference is that the Raiders' new leader is actually putting his money where his mouth is, and that was evident in how the initial 53-man roster shook out earlier this week.
Two veteran defenders, defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi and defensive end Patrick Johnson, were late arrivals this summer, but both made their case to be included on the active roster with strong play. So, what did Kubiak do? He rewarded them with a spot on the team because they earned it.
That's what a smart coach does: practice what he preaches. And these two players are the ultimate proof of concept for Kubiak.
Klint Kubiak followed through on promises of competition by keeping Foley Fatukasi and Patrick Johnson
It is quite easy to say all the right things to the media. Coach speak is an epidemic in the NFL, and Kubiak is obviously fluent in that language, as evidenced by his general vagueness when it comes to matters of injuries or position battles.
But the one point that he hammered home was that the best players will play for the Raiders, and that every position group and player needs to be constantly improving because nobody's job is ever truly safe. By keeping both Johnson and Fatukasi on the roster, he proved that to everyone in Las Vegas.
This may seem like an obvious and simple concept: Keep the best players around. But too often, NFL teams get wrapped up in the financial component of a decision, which isn't unimportant, or they keep a player around due to upside or because the optics of keeping one over another would be bad.
And there is certainly room to keep developmental players in the building, but as a young coach trying to establish a culture, Kubiak had to prove to his team that results and performing well matter. Also, that he is a man who is true to his word and worthy of his players' trust. He has done just that.
Patrick Johnson came out of nowhere to snag spot on Raiders' 53-man roster
Johnson was added in a jumble of roster moves on the eve of training camp and came in as a relative nobody to a room that felt pretty set in stone. Fatukasi wasn't signed until after the first preseason game, and the defensive tackle group wasn't short on bodies, solid play or promise.
During the preseason, though, Johnson flat-out dominated in every game. He was a mainstay in the pocket on defense, as he got home for two sacks and five pressures this August, also recording a game-altering strip-sack against the Houston Texans.
Not only that, but Johnson made plays against the run, totaling seven run stops in a three-game exhibition slate. Johnson was also dominant on special teams, which is critical for the final DE on the roster. By the final contest, he was sitting on the side at the end of the game, a sign that he'd made it.
Following roster cutdownsJohn Spytek was asked to name a player who exceeded his expectations this preseason or change his evaluation of him. Of course, Spytek talked about Johnson.
"I'll give some respect and some props to Patrick Johnson," Spytek said. "This is a guy that we signed on the eve of training camp, like, literally the eve of training camp, and credit to our pro department for setting up that workout and bringing quality guys in like him. And we had followed Patrick for many years with his career in Philadelphia and respected the kind of player and teammate and special teams player he is. But every day he showed up and worked, and he got better and better. And you go to the last preseason game against the 49ers, and it's a make-or-break game for a lot of guys, and who makes the first tackle on the first kickoff? Patrick Johnson."
Kubiak was on the same page as the second-year general manager.
"I would just echo all the things that Spy [John Spytek] said yesterday," Kubiak said of Johnson. "Since the moment he got here, all he's done is produce, work hard and be a great teammate. Expect that to continue."
And it will continue, because Kubiak is giving him a chance to. And that opportunity was earned.
Foley Fatukasi crashed the Raiders' depth chart (and may already have a role)
Fatukasi's arrival was met with even less fanfare than Johnson's, but he wasted no time making an impact. His burst off the line of scrimmage jumped out to Raider Nation in two preseason contests, as if the fanbase was wearing 3D glasses while watching the game.
He made plays against both the pass and the run, which quickly earned him first-team reps at practice. Even more than Johnson, Fatukasi may be a serious factor on defense right away in Las Vegas for Rob Leonard's unit as a run-stopper and potential two-gapper at the nose tackle spot.
But it's not like this responsibility was handed to Fatukasi; he earned it by showing serious strength, great IQ, space-eating ability and incredible determination during the preseason. Fatukasi was out for blood and did everything he could to earn a roster spot, and he did just that.
Had either Johnson or Fatukasi been discarded or sent to the practice squad in favor of another player whom the team invested more in or who had simply been around longer, that wouldn't have been fair to them or gratifying for the fanbase. And it may have burned a bit of trust in the building.
To anyone who watched, it was obvious that both veteran players earned their roles, and for a young Raiders team that is trying to establish the right culture under their new coach, it was paramount to provide this example for them. Results and hard work matter, and they turn into opportunities.
Kubiak made that abundantly clear by including Johnson and Fatukasi on the 53.
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