The Las Vegas Raiders sent at least a mild signal that they’re not quite ready to bail on their season just yet as they announced the expected signing of receiver Tyler Lockett, who was released by the Tennessee Titans last week.
Lockett has an extensive history with Raiders coach Pete Carroll, as noted in an article written by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2015 draft, and he played for Carroll for the first nine seasons of his career. Lockett remained with the Seahawks in 2024, then signed with Tennessee after being released in March.
Based on his work with Tennessee, Lockett still has something left in the tank, but but the 1-7 Titans hung out the “For Sale” sign last week for the upcoming trade deadline as they focus on developing rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Everyone other than Ward and star defensive lineman Jeffrey Simmons is available, so Lockett had to see this coming. He caught ten passes with Tennessee for 70 yards, and Lockett will at least give Las Vegas a plug-and-play option as a possession receiver.
The other shoe that could drop because of this move is the Raiders’ situation with receiver Jakobi Meyers. Meyers has made it clear he wants out of Las Vegas after the Raiders passed on giving him an extension during the offseason, but so far the Raiders have been sending signals that they may be willing to hang on to Meyers.
Regardless of how that decision goes down, the Raiders need both weapons and bodies. They brought in a group of street free agents last week that included former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman, but this signing also indicates how they felt about that group.
Will any of this help embattled quarterback Geno Smith? It feels unlikely, but at least Smith knows Lockett from his Seattle days. Lockett caught a total of 661 passes for 8,594 yards and 61 touchdowns in Seattle, and at this point in his career he qualifies as a body who could be a minor weapon.
The Raiders need all the help they can get as they prepare for this week’s home game with the Jacksonville Jaguars. At 2-5, their season is on the brink, and they’re buried in the AFC West behind three potential teams. Carroll has been under fire for weeks now, and last week owner Mark Davis gave him and GM Spytek the dreaded vote of confidence, which usually indicates that a firing is at least on the near horizon.