Those two decisions have done a couple things, however. It has sped up the rebuild, but also opened a window to contend that doesn't line up with the roster. Carroll is 73 and Smith is 34, which likely means they aren't long-term solutions for the silver and black.

The club has tapped a pair of now-former Seattle Seahawks to lead the team going forward, going all-in with Geno Smith at quarterback and Pete Carroll as the head coach. Those decisions have seemingly transformed the way the Raiders will operate going forward, ending a rebuild and kickstarting what figures to be a win-now approach.

The Raiders family is a real thing. Sometimes it's a literal thing. Thursday the Raiders signed TE Qadir Ismail. And if that name sounds familiar to you, it should. He is the son of former NFL receiver Qadry Ismail and nephew of Raiders legend Raghib "Rocket" Ismail.