Articles by Vincent Bonsignore

The Raiders’ linebacker depth continues to be tested.
With starter Divine Deablo already dealing with a concussion and oblique injury that sidelined him the past two games, his backup, Luke Masterson, is now headed to the injured reserve list with a knee injury.

Masterson, a third-year player from Wake Forest, is eligible to return but must miss at least four games.
To fill his spot, the Raiders signed practice squad defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson to the active roster.
The Raiders also activated running back Sincere McCormick and wide receiver Alex Bachman from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

Amid the trade speculation surrounding star wide receiver Davante Adams, the Raiders head to Denver to play the Broncos on Sunday. Fans have plenty of questions about the situation and more.
Here’s a sampling of what arrived in this week’s mailbag:

DC (@chappy23us): Did Davante Adams quit on the team, or did the organization let him down?
Vincent Bonsignore: Adams has been a good soldier during some turbulent times with the Raiders. He gave it an honest chance to work out and desperately wanted it to work. But it’s understandable he has reached the point at which he wants to find a better situation.
At age 32, he understands he has fewer years than more in professional football. The past two years have been a waste, with the Raiders being only minimally competitive. And this year is shaping up as another season of struggle. It makes sense he wants out. He has goals and objectives at this stage of his career that might not line up with the Raiders’ capabilities.
In retrospect, the Raiders probably should not have traded for Adams in 2022. Yes, they were coming off a playoff appearance, but from a roster standpoint, were they one player from contending for the Super Bowl? And then they benched Derek Carr 15 games into the 2022 season, creating uncertainty at quarterback
Ultimately, this was a failed experiment. Both sides need to move on.
Matt Berger (@matt_berger): So when do you think the real disconnect between Adams and the team began? The release of Carr? Training camp, when he said he wasn’t going to play in preseason games, and coach Antonio Pierce saying that if you’re healthy, you’re playing?
Bonsignore: It’s definitely a culmination of all those things.
Doc Holliday (@MarkPinnix): Is the offensive line set, or are the Raiders looking for more depth? Who gets the majority of carries vs the Broncos?
Bonsignore: When their offensive line is healthy, which has been an issue, the Raiders are good with their depth. The problem has been staying healthy.
They are excited about rookies Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze, and they remain bullish on Thayer Munford, who probably will be sidelined for the second straight week. This is probably a group they are content with for this season.
Ledtear (@ledtear): Predict the destination and compensation package for Adams.
Bonsignore: The Jets for a second- and fifth-round pick. The Saints, Bills and Ravens also appear to be interested.
GothamAv3nger (@GothamAv3ng3r): Could we see increased usage in tight end Brock Bowers in the passing game with the Adams development?
Bonsignore: Yes. It’s imperative that the Raiders get their rookie tight end more involved.
Feliz Esparza (@fele_esparza): What needs to happen at the top to stop the dysfunction of the organization? Obviously, owner Mark Davis isn’t going to sell the team, but should he hire someone else to run football operations?
Bonsignore: General manager Tom Telesco is fully capable of improving the professionalism and direction of the organization. But it takes time. There was always going to be a learning curve with Pierce, and that is more than apparent in his first full season as coach. He needs to expedite that process, though. And it starts with learning from his mistakes.
Bill Townsend (@realdeal2525): When will we see tight end Michael Mayer back?
Bonsignore: Mayer is dealing with a personal issue, but the sense is the Raiders are confident he will return at some point.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

The Raiders wrap up preparations for their game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Before taking the field Friday for their early afternoon practice, coach Antonio Pierce spoke to the media.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

The Raiders (2-2) are looking to go above .500 on Sunday for the first time since Week 1 last year.
Their next opponent, ironically, is the same one they faced to begin last season. The Raiders are visiting the Broncos and will look to extend their winning streak against their AFC West rivals to nine.
Here are three things to know about Denver (2-2):
1. Strong defense
The Broncos are allowing the third-fewest points per game in the NFL (13.8). Only the Chargers (12.5) and the Steelers (13.3) are better.
Denver’s success comes from applying maximum pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Broncos have 16 sacks this season, second to the Vikings (17). The heat Denver is applying is preventing its opponents from getting the ball downfield. The Broncos have given up the fewest plays of 20 or more yards in the NFL (6) and have not allowed a play of 40 or more yards.
It’s been a team effort.

Five Broncos have two or more sacks. Linebacker Jonathon Cooper leads the team with three.
“(Cooper is) a guy that allows you to change the culture because how he works every day on and off the field,” Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said. “It’s contagious, and guys have to match his intensity. He’s been that way for two years that I’ve been here. It doesn’t change on game day. He is a fully engaged, full speed, physical player.”
The Raiders will have their hands full trying to block this group.
It doesn’t help that the team is banged up on the offensive line. Right guard Dylan Parham is nursing an Achilles injury and it remains to be seen if he will play Sunday.
2. Struggling offense
Broncos coach Sean Payton went out on a limb when he selected Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in April’s draft.
That means it’s not a surprise that the 24-year-old has struggled through his first four NFL games.
Nix’s 62.5 passer rating is the second-worst in the league among quarterbacks with at least four appearances. His 60.1 completion percentage is third-worst. He has thrown just one touchdown pass.
Payton, who worked with Drew Brees for years in New Orleans, is determined to make it work with his new charge. And maybe things will click for Nix down the road. But right now, the game appears to be moving too fast for him.
That leaves Denver to scramble for solutions.
“I know this Shangri-La doesn’t exist, but the execution and the details still have to get better with younger players,” Payton said. “That’s what we’re working on. I’ve said this before, if everyone else can paint the right picture, then you truly get to evaluate and watch a real good quarterback.”
3. Successful run game
The Broncos rushed for more than 100 yards twice in their first four games. They won both times, which means their path to victory moving forward is obvious.
They need to lean on running back Javonte Williams, who gained a season-high 77 rushing yards in last week’s win over the Jets. They also need to trust an offensive line that appears to be hitting its stride.
“For whatever reason, we didn’t run the ball real well the first two weeks,” Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. “There’s no magic formula other than just execution and not losing confidence in something if you know that you (have) the pieces to do it well. I think we’ve blocked well, the running backs have read the runs well, and we’ve broken the tackles when we needed too. It’s been a big part of why we won those last two games.”
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

The NCAA penalized Raiders coach Antonio Pierce on Thursday for recruiting infractions he committed while an assistant coach at Arizona State.
Pierce has been given an eight-year show cause for the violations, which occurred during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period in 2020-21. That means if Pierce becomes a college coach again in the next eight years, he will be suspended for all athletic activities for one full year.
In addition, former Arizona State staffer Anthony Garnett was given a four-year show cause for his role in the infractions.
Pierce was the Sun Devils’ defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at the time the violations were committed. In the NCAA’s statement on Thursday, a Division I Committee on Infractions panel said Pierce was a central part of a scheme in which he, other members of the football staff and an unnamed booster “arranged unofficial visits to the school for roughly one year during the COVID-19 dead period.”
The report alleged that during those visits, which occurred over 15 weekends, Arizona State staff members hosted a tryout, gave football facility tours and provided entertainment to 35 prospects and their families. Pierce arranged for or personally provided free meals, apparel, transportation and/or lodging for 27 of those prospects. He often had help from the booster, who was the parent of a then-football player.
This violated dead period rules. The meals, travel expenses and entertainment — which “included taking a prospect’s parents to a gentleman’s club,” according to the report — also were impermissible recruited inducements.
Eight of the prospects enrolled at Arizona State. They played in 19 games.
Pierce also used his position of authority “pressure staff members into engaging in violations, often by instilling fear that they would lose their jobs if they did not follow his orders,” the report said.
He told an assistant coach to text and call a student-athlete that was enrolled at another school and was not in the transfer portal. The said report said the assistant coach sent the player at least 46 text messages and called him at least once.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

With the Raiders and star wide receiver Davante Adams headed toward an imminent breakup, coach Antonio Pierce did his best to sidestep the issue when he spoke to the media Wednesday.
Pierce said Adams continues to rehab from his hamstring injury, and the rest of the Raiders are focused on the Broncos, whom they play Sunday in Denver.
When asked if Adams would be at the Raiders’ facility, Pierce simply said: “He’s supposed to be rehabbing.”
Pierce did not comment on a report that he “liked” a social media post that suggested Adams had played his final game with the Raiders.
“I’m just focused on Denver,” Pierce said.
The Raiders have been calling other teams to gauge interest in trading for Adams, according to multiple sources. Sources have also confirmed that Adams has told the Raiders he would prefer to be traded.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

The Raiders and Davante Adams seem to be headed their separate ways.
The star wide receiver told the team he prefers to be traded, which means the key question is where Adams ends up next. The answer depends on which clubs are interested, which have enough cap space to make a move and which ones the 32-year-old would accept as a destination.
Adams, who missed the Raiders’ last game with a hamstring injury, has a $13.5 million cap hit the rest of this season. His cap hit is $44.1 million in 2025 and $45.1 million in 2026, though his salary is not guaranteed in either of those years. That means Adams could be a rental for any team that acquires him, or he could be a logical candidate for a restructured contract.
Here are some potential landing spots for the six-time Pro Bowler:
New York Jets
The Jets have more than $17 million in cap space, so they can make a deal happen. They should also be motivated to do so given quarterback Aaron Rodgers had an incredible connection with Adams when the two played in Green Bay together.
The Jets should have enough draft capital to satisfy the Raiders if they choose to use it. They have all their 2025 draft picks, as well as extra selections in the third and sixth rounds.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills were interested in Adams before last year’s trade deadline, but they were turned away.
Their need for a No. 1 wide receiver hasn’t diminished, however. Especially with the team looking like a Super Bowl contender again behind quarterback Josh Allen.
The Bills have just over $3 million in cap space, but they could restructure a few deals to create room if they wanted to acquire Adams.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders wouldn’t have come to mind as a possible destination for Adams three months ago.
Their 3-1 start has changed everything. Quarterback Jayden Daniels, the second overall pick in April’s draft, looks poised to power the team to contention right away.
Washington is more than $26 million under the salary cap, so it would have no problem fitting Adams onto its roster.
Dallas Cowboys
Yes, the Cowboys have a No. 1 wide receiver in CeeDee Lamb. But Lamb doesn’t have much help at the moment, so Adams would make Dallas’ offense much more complete.
The Cowboys have just over $25 million in cap space, so they have the ability to make a move.
Kansas City Chiefs
This would drive Raiders fans insane. It would also be understandable if the team refused to deal Adams to one of its AFC West rivals.
But the Chiefs could use another wide receiver. Rashee Rice suffered an ankle injury in Sunday’s win over the Chargers, and Marquise Brown underwent surgery for a shoulder injury in September. Kansas City could make an offer too good for the Raiders to refuse.
The Chiefs would need to make some moves to create enough cap space to add Adams. They have just over $3 million in space as things stand.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, who missed Sunday’s game against the Browns with a hamstring injury, said on his weekly appearance on the “Up and Adams” show with Kay Adams that he has not communicated with coach Antonio Pierce recently.
On that same podcast, Davante Adams was asked about a recent report that he had played his last game with the Raiders.
“All I can control is the next thing I’m on to,” Adams said.
Kay Adams closed the appearance by telling Davante Adams: “I hope you hear from your coach today.”
“Yeah, I do too,” Davante Adams said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

The Raiders beat the Browns on Sunday despite stars Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby being injured.
The two may not be available for the team’s next game against the Broncos, either.

“As of right now, it’s status quo,” coach Antonio Pierce said.
Crosby missed the first game of his career Sunday with a high ankle sprain. Adams was out with a hamstring injury he suffered in practice last week. The Raiders will know more about the pair’s status moving forward when they return to practice Wednesday.
“It all depends on where they are, health-wise,” Pierce said.
Pierce also said second-year tight end Michael Mayer remains out for personal reasons.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]

The Raiders rushed for a season-high 152 yards, getting touchdown runs from wide receivers Tre Tucker and DJ Turner, and defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-16 on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.
Playing without their two best players — Davante Adams (hamstring) and Maxx Crosby (ankle) — the Raiders rebounded from an ugly Week 3 loss to the Carolina Panthers to even their record at 2-2.
Trailing 20-16 late in the fourth quarter, the Browns drove to the Raiders’ 16-yard line, but Las Vegas stopped them on four plays.

Snowden icing it 🥶#CLEvsLV | 📺 @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/S0wru9N1Na
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 29, 2024

Tucker scored the Raiders’ first touchdown on a 3-yard run with 9:55 left in the second quarter, cutting their deficit to 10-7.
Turner gave the Raiders a 20-10 lead on an 18-yard run with 5:30 left in the third quarter.
The Browns (1-3) cut their deficit to 20-16 when Rodney McLeod ran 25 yards for a touchdown after recovering a fumble by Zamir White on the first play of the fourth quarter.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X. […]