The 2018 season was the Oakland Raiders' 49th in the National Football League (NFL), their 59th overall, their 24th since their return to Oakland, and their first under head coach Jon Gruden since his rehiring by the organization (fifth overall). The Raiders finished the season with a 4–12 record, failing to improve upon their previous season's record of 6–10, and their worst since 2014.

With a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13, the Raiders were eliminated from playoff contention for the second consecutive season. With their week 15 loss to the Bengals, the Raiders failed to improve their record from the previous season. The loss also secured their spot at last in the AFC West.

On December 10, the Raiders fired general manager Reggie McKenzie who had been with the Raiders since 2012.

This was the first time since 1999 that Sebastian Janikowski was not on the opening day roster, as his contract was not renewed following the previous season where he didn't play due to a back injury.

Stadium issues Although the league approved the Raiders' eventual relocation to Las Vegas on March 27, 2017, the team maintained its lease at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum and used the stadium for the 2018 season while the team's new stadium in Las Vegas was under construction. Initially in April 2017, the operators of the Coliseum stated they would be unwilling to sign a lease extension for the team to play at the stadium while their new venue in Las Vegas was being built; however by September of that year, the Coliseum operators expressed willingness to negotiate, but insisted on concessions to compensate for the million-dollar deficit the Coliseum runs by hosting Raiders games. Owner Mark Davis stated he preferred to stay in Oakland for the 2019 season but was considering other options, including Las Vegas's Sam Boyd Stadium, Berkeley's California Memorial Stadium, Mackay Stadium in Reno, Nevada; the San Francisco 49ers's Levi's Stadium and even the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, a venue thought to have been ruled out in 2014. Davis acknowledged that if fans failed to support the team similarly to the 1996 Houston Oilers, it could hasten the relocation. Team management also indicated they would relocate after 2018 if there were any lawsuits filed against the team; the city of Oakland sued the Raiders and all other teams in the league on December 11, 2018, however the Raiders remained in Oakland for the final year despite the lawsuit.

Offseason

Coaching changes On January 6, 2018, the Raiders hired their former head coach, Jon Gruden, who returned to the Raiders and coaching from ESPN's Monday Night Football. Gruden received a 10-year, $100-million contract to return to the Raiders. Gruden last coached in the NFL in 2008 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and last coached the Raiders in 2001. At the press conference announcing the hiring of Gruden on January 9, Gruden announced that Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Greg Olson had been hired as offensive coordinator, though Gruden would call plays, while former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther was hired as the new defensive coordinator. Gruden also announced that former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia was hired to serve as special teams coordinator. On January 29, the Raiders named Brian Callahan, son of their former head coach Bill Callahan, as the new quarterbacks coach.

Khalil Mack holdout and trade to Chicago On September 1, 2018, the Raiders traded defensive star Khalil Mack along with their 2020 2nd round pick to the Chicago Bears for two first round picks (RB Josh Jacobs and CB Damon Arnette), a 2019 6th round pick, and a 2020 3rd round pick, after he had held out of training camp.

Free agent signings Position Player Age 2017 Team ContractWRJordy Nelson32Green Bay Packers2 years, $15 millionRBDoug Martin29Tampa Bay Buccaneers1 year, $1.475 millionTE Derek Carrier27Los Angeles Rams3 years, $5.55 millionFBKeith Smith25Dallas Cowboys2 years, $3 millionSMarcus Gilchrist29Houston Texans1 year, $4 millionLBTahir Whitehead27Detroit Lions3 years, $19 millionDTJustin Ellis27Oakland Raiders3 years, $15 millionTELee Smith30Oakland Raiders3 years, $9 millionLSAndrew DePaola30Chicago Bears4 years, $4.27 millionQBJosh Johnson31Houston Texans1 year, $1.005 millionCBShareece Wright30Buffalo Bills1 year, $1.005 millionSReggie Nelson34Oakland Raiders1 year, $2.5 millionWRDwayne Harris30New York Giants1 year, $880,000DEArmonty Bryant27Detroit Lions1 year, $790,000CBSenquez Golson24Tampa Bay Buccaneers1 year, $555,000LBShilique Calhoun26Oakland Raiders1 year, $555,000LB/DEJames Cowser27Oakland Raiders1 year, $630,000SErik Harris28Oakland Raiders1 year, $555,000G/TDenver Kirkland24Oakland Raiders1 year, $630,000KGiorgio Tavecchio27Oakland Raiders1 year, $555,000CBDaryl Worley23Carolina Panthers (traded to Philadelphia before being released)1 year, $630,000LBDerrick Johnson35Kansas City Chiefs1 year, $3 millionSDallin Leavitt24N/A (college)3 years, $1.71 millionLSDrew Scott23N/A (college)3 years, $1.71 millionGCameron Hunt26Denver Broncos2 years, $1.05 millionDTAhtyba Rubin32Atlanta Falcons1 year, $1.015 millionDTFrostee Rucker34Arizona Cardinals1 year, $1.015 millionFBRyan Yurachek22N/A (college)3 years, $1.71 million

Losses Position Player Age 2018 team WRMichael Crabtree30Baltimore RavensOLMarshall Newhouse29Buffalo BillsCBSean Smith30Free agentCBT. J. Carrie27Cleveland BrownsDEDenico Autry27Indianapolis ColtsLBAldon Smith28Free agentCBDavid Amerson26Kansas City ChiefsKSebastian Janikowski39Seattle SeahawksPMarquette King29Denver BroncosTEClive Walford26New York JetsLSAndrew East26Memphis Express (AAF), Washington RedskinsDTDarius Latham23Free agentDEArmonty Bryant27RetirementLBCory James24Free agentQBJosh Johnson31San Diego Fleet, Washington RedskinsPColby Wadman23Denver BroncosCAlex Officer22Kansas City ChiefsQBChristian Hackenberg23Cincinnati Bengals, Memphis ExpressLBBrady Sheldon25Cleveland Browns, Green Bay PackersFBHenry Poggi24New England Patriots

Trades Player/picks received Player/compensation sent Team 5th round pick (2018 draft) (originally owned by KC) (Traded to the Indianapolis Colts during the NFL draft)

(WR Daurice Fountain)WR Cordarrelle Patterson6th round pick (2018 draft) (Braxton Berrios)New England Patriots5th round pick (2018 draft) (P Johnny Townsend)FB Jamize Olawale6th round pick (2018 draft) (Jamil Demby)Dallas CowboysWR Martavis Bryant3rd round pick (2018 draft) (Rasheem Green)Pittsburgh SteelersWR Ryan SwitzerDE Jihad WardDallas CowboysQB Christian Hackenbergconditional 7th round pick (2019 draft)New York Jets1st round pick (2019 draft) (RB Josh Jacobs)

1st round pick (2020 draft) (CB Damon Arnette)

3rd round pick (2020 draft) (WR Bryan Edwards)

6th round pick (2019 draft) (Traded to the New York Jets in the 2019 offseason)DE/OLB Khalil Mack 2nd round pick (2020 draft) (Cole Kmet)

conditional 7th round pick (2020 draft)Chicago Bears1st round pick (2019 draft) (S Johnathan Abram)WR Amari CooperDallas Cowboys

Draft

2018 Oakland Raiders Draft Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 15 Kolton Miller OT UCLA From Arizona 2 57 P. J. Hall DT Sam Houston State From Tennessee 3 65 Brandon Parker OT NC A&T From Baltimore 87 Arden Key DE LSU From LA Rams 4 110 Nick Nelson CB Wisconsin 5 140 Maurice Hurst DT Michigan From Indianapolis 173 Johnny Townsend P Florida From Dallas 6 216 Azeem Victor LB Washington Compensatory pick 7 228 Marcell Ateman WR Oklahoma St.

Notes

The Raiders finished with the same overall record and strength of schedule as the San Francisco 49ers at the end of the season, and their selecting order was determined by way of a coin flip at the NFL Scouting Combine in March 2018; the Raiders lost the coin toss and received the 10th selection. Both teams rotated with the Miami Dolphins, receiving the 9th, 10th and 11th pick in each round.

Draft trades

The Raiders traded their fifth-round selection (146th overall, S Tre Flowers) to Seattle in exchange for Seattle's sixth-round selection (192nd overall, T Jamil Demby) and running back Marshawn Lynch. The Raiders traded a sixth-round selection (210th overall, WR Braxton Berrios) and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson to New England in exchange for Kansas City's fifth-round selection (159th overall, WR Daurice Fountain). The Raiders traded a sixth-round selection (192nd overall, T Jamil Demby) and fullback Jamize Olawale to Dallas in exchange for Dallas's fifth-round selection (173rd overall, P Johnny Townsend). The Raiders were awarded four sixth-round compensatory picks (210th, 212th, 216th and 217th overall).

Undrafted free agent signings

Marcus Baugh, TE, Ohio State, released at the end of training camp. Saeed Blacknall, WR, Penn State, waived and made the practice squad. Jason Cabinda, LB, Penn State, released at the end of training camp. Alex Officer, C, Pittsburgh, released on May 17. Eddy Piñeiro, K, Florida, placed on injured reserve at the end of training camp. Nick Sharga, FB, Temple, released on May 7.

Source

Staff

Final roster

Preseason The Raiders' preseason opponents and schedule were released on April 11.

Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Detroit Lions W 16–10 1–0 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap 2 at Los Angeles Rams L 15–19 1–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Recap 3 Green Bay Packers W 13–6 2–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap 4 at Seattle Seahawks W 30–19 3–1 CenturyLink Field Recap

Regular season

On January 11, the NFL announced that the Raiders will play host to the Seattle Seahawks in a London Game in London, England. The game site, originally slated for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, was later moved to Wembley Stadium. This marked the fourth time in five seasons in which the Raiders played a game outside the United States, as well as their second visit to London (the other being 2014).

Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Los Angeles Rams L 13–33 0–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap 2 September 16 at Denver Broncos L 19–20 0–2 Broncos Stadium at Mile High Recap 3 September 23 at Miami Dolphins L 20–28 0–3 Hard Rock Stadium Recap 4 September 30 Cleveland Browns W 45–42 1–3 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap 5 October 7 at Los Angeles Chargers L 10–26 1–4 StubHub Center Recap 6 October 14 Seattle Seahawks L 3–27 1–5 Wembley Stadium Recap 7Bye 8 October 28 Indianapolis Colts L 28–42 1–6 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap 9 at San Francisco 49ers L 3–34 1–7 Levi's Stadium Recap 10 November 11 Los Angeles Chargers L 6–20 1–8 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap 11 November 18 at Arizona Cardinals W 23–21 2–8 State Farm Stadium Recap 12 November 25 at Baltimore Ravens L 17–34 2–9 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 13 December 2 Kansas City Chiefs L 33–40 2–10 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap 14 December 9 Pittsburgh Steelers W 24–21 3–10 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap 15 December 16 at Cincinnati Bengals L 16–30 3–11 Paul Brown Stadium Recap 16 Denver Broncos W 27–14 4–11 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap 17 December 30 at Kansas City Chiefs L 3–35 4–12 Arrowhead Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text

Game summaries Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams During the game, tight end Jared Cook set a new franchise record for most receiving yards in a game by a Raiders tight end finishing the night with 180 yards on nine catches. The previous record was held by Todd Christensen with 173 yards on November 20, 1986 against the San Diego Chargers. He was one of only six tight ends to ever record over 180 yards receiving since 1999. Quarterback Derek Carr threw three interceptions in a game for his second time in his career, the previous time was against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015.

Week 2: at Denver Broncos

Week 3: at Miami Dolphins

Week 4: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 5: at Los Angeles Chargers

Week 6: vs. Seattle Seahawks NFL London Games