Raiderstation

Should we pursue him?
What’s his trade value?

Rabidraider wrote: Wed Jul 29, 2026 6:08 am Like someone mentioned, teams can turn around on a dime these days. Look at Chicago and New England.

The team feels like the Chicago situation. New leadership with smart moves.

If we were in a normal division I think we could turn around even faster.

We could be in the mix within 2-3 years easily. Vea could be a major part of that. I have no problem with a 3rd mixed in with a player or lower pick.

That Bears team had a lot of talent and was poorly coached under Eberflus. The Raiders were poorly coached last season as well but don't have the overall talent the Bears have. I don't believe this roster is good enough for a worst to first finish especially in this division. I'm expecting improvement but more incremental improvement. I'm not vehemently against it or anything but there's 30 other teams in this league that may have varying degrees of interest and I just don't think the Raiders will be the best fit.

I like that at minimum this gives us something tangible to discuss during the slow part of the year. I can see the argument both ways and it’s not a topic we’ve been over countless times.

heavyD wrote: Wed Jul 29, 2026 6:15 am That Bears team had a lot of talent and was poorly coached under Eberflus. The Raiders were poorly coached last season as well but don't have the overall talent the Bears have. I don't believe this roster is good enough for a worst to first finish especially in this division. I'm expecting improvement but more incremental improvement. I'm not vehemently against it or anything but there's 30 other teams in this league that may have varying degrees of interest and I just don't think the Raiders will be the best fit.

i agree with this 100 pct ...we still have no wr's and r short a d/t/nt

I've started to be swayed a little by the "get Vita" argument.

At 31, he probably has 3 more good years left barring injury.

While we are not positioned to win it all in 2026-27, learning to win this year is very important. We want to stay close with the big dogs, and even win games we're "not supposed to". Vea can help us turn that corner in the short term by making our middle respectable.

Beyond that, I DO think it's fair to expect that we are well-positioned to make noise in 2027-28. Acquiring Vea goes a long way in making us more formidable in coming years.

In my other post, I said I would be OK going as high as a 3rd, and I've upgraded my stance from "I would be OK with it" to a more proactive "we should offer a 3rd and see what happens".

I wouldn't offer a 1st and 2nd rounders, those picks are penciled in to become long-term starters, Vea is not worth that. But Vea is a relatively safe asset to acquire with 3rd round capital, gives us a starter floor with star upside at 0/1 tech for the next few years.

I'll note that I haven't completely thought through the salary implications, so it's possible I am missing something there.

But in terms of timing, I actually do think it makes some sense. Vet leadership is important, it fills a position of need, and it gives us a better chance of competing in the near future. At the right price, he would fit very neatly into our plans

heavyD wrote: Wed Jul 29, 2026 6:15 am That Bears team had a lot of talent and was poorly coached under Eberflus. The Raiders were poorly coached last season as well but don't have the overall talent the Bears have. I don't believe this roster is good enough for a worst to first finish especially in this division. I'm expecting improvement but more incremental improvement. I'm not vehemently against it or anything but there's 30 other teams in this league that may have varying degrees of interest and I just don't think the Raiders will be the best fit.

In what world did that Bears team have talent? Personally, I think we have more talent now than that team currently has. Their QB is getting better but still needs to prove it. They fixed their O line in one season, I'll give them that (which is something I've been critical of this team this year). We have the better TE, better RB, our defense on paper is as good as theirs and our HC on paper is as good as theirs. Their WRs are inconsistent and unproven. Not seeing this huge talent gap between them and us.

I still wouldnt give up a ton for Vea but im also not acting like this team is years away, like some.

I don't see the Bucs trading him for what people are expecting, I was assuming quite a bit higher compensation. It is more interesting with these low offers, sure. Is it reality?

heavyD wrote: Wed Jul 29, 2026 6:15 am That Bears team had a lot of talent and was poorly coached under Eberflus. The Raiders were poorly coached last season as well but don't have the overall talent the Bears have. I don't believe this roster is good enough for a worst to first finish especially in this division. I'm expecting improvement but more incremental improvement. I'm not vehemently against it or anything but there's 30 other teams in this league that may have varying degrees of interest and I just don't think the Raiders will be the best fit.

I think in terms of talent the Bears of a year or so ago match the Raiders from last year quite well.

We have the future QB, top RB and TE. Top Center and decent left tackle. All the new linebackers and DB's and we have (on paper) a team with lots of pluses.

I bet whom every we draft in the 3rd next year wont light a candle to Vea over the next few years.

Although we aren't close like the Rams are, they trade draft capitol for known high end talent. And it seems to work.

And we are not talking a #1 or #2 here.

SkullCrusher wrote: Wed Jul 29, 2026 6:58 am I don't see the Bucs trading him for what people are expecting, I was assuming quite a bit higher compensation. It is more interesting with these low offers, sure. Is it reality?

Spytek calls the Bears' GM and says "Hey, I'll give a #7 and Jamarcus Russell's old jock strap for Veta." ...Bears' GM's response?" ..."click !"

BoKnows81 wrote: Wed Jul 29, 2026 6:55 am In what world did that Bears team have talent? Personally, I think we have more talent now than that team currently has. Their QB is getting better but still needs to prove it. They fixed their O line in one season, I'll give them that (which is something I've been critical of this team this year). We have the better TE, better RB, our defense on paper is as good as theirs and our HC on paper is as good as theirs. Their WRs are inconsistent and unproven. Not seeing this huge talent gap between them and us.

I still wouldnt give up a ton for Vea but im also not acting like this team is years away, like some.

In what world? The one we (maybe not you necessarily) live in where the Bears won the NFC North in 2025. You think they finished ahead of the Packers and Lions with less talent than this Raiders team that Vegas has set at 5.5 wins for the 2026 season? I don’t think so nor does anyone else save for a small handful of very hopeful Raiders fans.

heavyD wrote: Wed Jul 29, 2026 9:27 am In what world? The one we (maybe not you necessarily) live in where the Bears won the NFC North in 2025. You think they finished ahead of the Packers and Lions with less talent than this Raiders team that Vegas has set at 5.5 wins? I don’t think so nor does anyone else save for a small handful of very hopeful Raiders fans.

Um no, re-read your post. THAT Bears team under Eberflus went 5-12 and finished in 4th place. Take a look at that roster and tell me where this exceptional "talent" was.

Fast forward to the following year. That's when they fixed their O line and hired a better coach. And I dont give a shit about Vegas. On a talent level, we are comparable to the Bears.

SkullCrusher wrote: Wed Jul 29, 2026 6:58 am I don't see the Bucs trading him for what people are expecting, I was assuming quite a bit higher compensation. It is more interesting with these low offers, sure. Is it reality?

That very well may be the case.

I don't think we are one NT away from competing, so if the bidding gets higher than a 3rd rounder, I wouldn't go there.

Offer a 3rd and see what happens. If they take it, we got a player that fits an immediate need at a price that we are comfortable with. If another team offers more and we miss out, so be it.

heavyD wrote: Wed Jul 29, 2026 9:27 am In what world? The one we (maybe not you necessarily) live in where the Bears won the NFC North in 2025. You think they finished ahead of the Packers and Lions with less talent than this Raiders team that Vegas has set at 5.5 wins for the 2026 season? I don’t think so nor does anyone else save for a small handful of very hopeful Raiders fans.

The Raiders were a nut hair away from beating the Bears last year, even with that horrifically coached Raiders team. That basically tells you all you need to know

Atlasffa wrote: Wed Jul 29, 2026 7:18 am

Yeah he apparently "tweaked" his back. I would for sure pass on him now. Back injuries linger.

Goodtimes333 wrote: Wed Jul 29, 2026 10:10 am The Raiders were a nut hair away from beating the Bears last year, even with that horrifically coached Raiders team. That basically tells you all you need to know

And we beat the Patriots. We must have had superbowl talent by that logic.