The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to turn the corner and start a new era in 2025. With new head coach Pete Carroll leading the way and Geno Smith locked in at quarterback, this franchise is looking to make that climb back into the postseason and, ultimately, championship contention.
Training camp and preseason will get this team ready, but the Raiders will have to deliver once the regular season gets underway, and now they know exactly who they will face to start the year.
According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, the Raiders will travel to the East Coast and take on the New England Patriots in Week 1 of the 2025 regular season:
Sources: The #Raiders — led by new faces Pete Carroll, QB Geno Smith and RB Ashton Jeanty — will travel to New England to face Mike Vrabel, Drake Maye and the #Patriots in Week 1. pic.twitter.com/bjGIh20uw9
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 14, 2025
This is a very intriguing regular-season opener on a number of levels. Both the Raiders and Patriots have new coaches and are looking to return their franchises to previous glory. Additionally, former Raiders coach Josh McDaniels is back in New England as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator and would surely love to get a big victory over his former team.
Additionally, Raiders minority owner Tom Brady is, of course, the greatest player in the history of the Patriots franchise and one of the most beloved figures in New England. But he is all about the silver and black now and would love to send a message to the Patriots in Week 1.
For the Raiders, this will also be the first game for Smith under center with his new team and the regular season debut of first-round pick running back Ashton Jeanty, who will look to get his career off to a big start on the road. The Raiders’ offense is revamped, and with Smith, Jeanty, and Brock Bowers, their first chance to show how explosive they can be will come in the Northeast.
Raiders agree to deal with linebacker Jaylon Smith
Of course, the Raiders’ defense must also be on point to deal with the Patriots and quarterback Drake Maye. The team has lost some pieces on defense, but is still adding some players who could potentially make an impact, and the team recently agreed to a deal with veteran linebacker Jaylon Smith.
Originally a second-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys, Smith sat out 2024 and last appeared in the NFL with the Raiders in 2023. Now he will look to get his career back on track with the silver and black once again.
