Raiders Sign Eric Stokes to $4 Million Deal<\/p>\n
The Las Vegas Raiders haven’t been heavy spenders this free-agent period. Despite having close to $100 million in salary cap space, the trade for Geno Smith and Maxx Crosby’s contract extension reduced their available funds.<\/p>\n
Rather than going for big-ticket free agents, the Raiders are opting for smaller deals. The team lost key players in the secondary, with cornerback Nate Hobbs and safety Tre\u2019von Moehrig leaving.<\/p>\n
Although he might not directly replace Hobbs, the Raiders have signed cornerback Eric Stokes to a one-year, $4 million contract, according to NFL Network\u2019s Ian Rapoport.<\/p>\n
Stokes, a first-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2021, had a strong rookie season. However, injuries limited him to just 12 games in 2022 and 2023. He returned to form in 2024, playing all 17 games but failed to record an interception or pass deflection.<\/p>\n
Stokes’ speed is one of his most attractive qualities. He ran a 4.29 40-yard dash before entering the NFL. With Jack Jones and Jakorian Bennett still under contract, Stokes is expected to provide depth. He has no experience as a slot corner, so it\u2019s unlikely he\u2019ll replace Hobbs. Nonetheless, he represents a low-risk, high-reward opportunity for the Raiders.<\/p>\n
Malcolm Koonce in Good Health<\/p>\n
One key free agent the Raiders managed to retain was defensive end Malcolm Koonce on a one-year deal. Koonce didn\u2019t play a single game in 2024 due to injury, but he has now had ample time to recover.<\/p>\n
He shared that he’s feeling much better.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m in a good place in my rehab. Feel good,\u201d Koonce said during a Tuesday press conference. \u201cI trust the Raiders training staff, the lifting staff, they\u2019ve put me in a good position. It was very frustrating. You feel like you let people down, even if it\u2019s beyond your control. But I\u2019m glad it\u2019s behind me, and now I\u2019m just looking forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Koonce to secure a long-term contract next offseason, staying healthy will be key. That\u2019s his primary focus now.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m more just focused on getting healthy, trying to be the best Malcolm I can be, and that\u2019s pretty much it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Koonce Eager to Work with Pete Carroll<\/p>\n
The Raiders are undergoing significant coaching changes this season, but much of the defensive staff remains, including defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Additionally, the team has brought in legendary defensive coach Pete Carroll.<\/p>\n
Koonce is excited about the coaching staff’s composition.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomebody like Pete Carroll, he\u2019s a legendary coach, who wouldn\u2019t want to be around him? And Pat [Patrick Graham] has seen me develop as a player, so I\u2019m very comfortable with him, comfortable in the system, and it\u2019s always great to be around people who believe in you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s definitely a good feeling when you return to a familiar position with people you trust, people you\u2019ve played with before,\u201d Koonce added. \u201cIt felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders, so I\u2019m happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Raiders Sign Eric Stokes to $4 Million Deal The Las Vegas Raiders haven’t been heavy spenders this free-agent period. Despite having close to $100 million in salary cap space, the trade for Geno Smith and Maxx Crosby’s contract extension reduced their available funds. Rather than going for big-ticket free agents, the Raiders are opting for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27884,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[397],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-las-vegas-raiders"],"yoast_head":"\n