New Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek and part-owner Tom Brady have plenty of work to do if they want their team to compete in 2025. The Raiders finished 4-13 last season and hold the No. 6 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
One of Las Vegas’ biggest issues in 2024 was the offensive line, and Spytek has wasted no time making changes, recently signing a veteran lineman he and Brady worked with during their time in Tampa Bay.
Raiders Sign Veteran Guard Alex Cappa
The Raiders’ offense was a mess in 2024, cycling through three different starting quarterbacks and producing just two skill players with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers and veteran receiver Jakobi Meyers were the lone bright spots in an otherwise bleak season. Bowers made the first-team All-Pro list and broke multiple rookie receiving records.
Las Vegas’ rushing attack, however, was abysmal. The team managed just 1,357 yards on the ground — the lowest total in the NFL last season.
Alexander Mattison led the team with just 420 yards and four touchdowns behind a struggling offensive line. Ameer Abdullah followed with 311 yards and two scores, while Zamir White regressed, posting just 183 yards and one touchdown in eight games.
For context, five individual running backs outgained the entire Raiders offense in 2024.
Recognizing the urgency to improve the ground game, Spytek made his first move — signing former Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals guard Alex Cappa.
The #Raiders are signing former #Bucs and #Bengals G Alex Cappa, who was recently released by Cincinnati, per @RapSheet. New Las Vegas GM John Spytek drafted Cappa in Tampa Bay. pic.twitter.com/qOkAHMF0zd
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 5, 2025
NFL insider Ari Meirov confirmed the signing on X.
“The Raiders are signing former Bucs and Bengals G Alex Cappa, who was recently released by Cincinnati, per @RapSheet. New Las Vegas GM John Spytek drafted Cappa in Tampa Bay.”
Spytek, who spent eight seasons in Tampa Bay (2016-2024), was part of the front office that traded up to draft Cappa in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Cappa became a starter in 2019 and protected Brady during his three seasons with the Buccaneers. Brady thrived behind that offensive line in 2020, throwing for 4,633 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions en route to a Super Bowl 55 victory.
Unfortunately, Cappa fractured his ankle in the Wild Card round, sidelining him for the rest of the championship run. He returned in 2021, starting every game before signing a four-year, $35 million deal with the Bengals in 2022.
Cappa played every regular-season game for Cincinnati before being released this offseason, and Spytek wasted no time bringing him to Las Vegas.
John Spytek’s Vision: Building Through the Trenches
Spytek’s focus on the offensive and defensive lines is clear. On the same day he signed Cappa, he also secured a massive contract extension for four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby.
Crosby’s new deal locks him in as the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
With Cappa fortifying the offensive line and Crosby leading the defense, the Raiders are taking steps in the right direction. There’s still plenty of work to be done, but Las Vegas is off to a promising start this offseason.