The Raiders are being graded like a first-class destination away from Sundays.
In the NFL Players Association’s 2026 team report cards, the Raiders finished 6th overall, with players giving Las Vegas top marks across most facility and player-support categories, per results obtained by ESPN.
That is the good news in Henderson. The other part of the story is why the Raiders detonated the coaching staff after the 2025 season and built Klint Kubiak’s group in a hurry.
The building grades like a contender
Players gave the Raiders an A for treatment of families, food/dining, nutritionist/dietician, locker room, training room and training staff. The weight room graded A+.
Those categories are not fluff. They shape recovery, routines and trust, which matter in a league that chews teams up by November.
The survey was big and recent
The cards were based on responses from 1,759 players and the survey was conducted from Nov. 2 to Dec. 11 among players who were on 2025 rosters at the time, according to Reuters.
So, the feedback is not ancient history. It reflects how players felt during the 2025 season.
Coaching was the loud red flag
While the Raiders’ workplace grades were strong, several coaching categories lagged badly in the results list. That gap became the offseason headline in Las Vegas.
The Raiders’ actions since then tell you they heard it. They did not renovate the building. They rewired the football operation.
Kubiak’s staff build is the response
Kubiak’s staff started taking shape with Andrew Janocko as offensive coordinator, a move aimed at stabilizing the side of the ball that drew the harshest criticism. The Raiders’ official coaching roster lists Janocko in the role.
On defense, the Raiders promoted Rob Leonard to defensive coordinator and filled key positions around him, including bringing back Travis Smith to coach the defensive line. The Las Vegas Review-Journal detailed the blend of promotions and veteran additions that quickly formed Kubiak’s first staff.
Special teams also got a reset with Joe DeCamillis in charge. Meanwhile, Matt Robinson joined to coach the safeties as the secondary room gets reshaped.
The message is simple for Vegas fans. The Raiders already look like a top-tier franchise Monday through Saturday, and now they are trying to make the coaching experience match the facility.
League context: top 5 and bottom 5
The report cards again showed a wide gap between the league’s best-run workplaces and its worst. Reuters reported the Dolphins ranked 1st overall, while the Steelers finished 32nd.
Top 5 overall
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Dolphins
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Vikings
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Commanders
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Seahawks
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Jaguars
Bottom 5 overall
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Bengals
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Buccaneers
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Browns
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Cardinals
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Steelers
What it means for the Raiders
The NFLPA grades do not win games. Still, they do matter when players talk, free agents listen and locker rooms decide whether they believe in the program.
The Raiders already have the infrastructure. Now Kubiak’s staff has to prove the football side is finally catching up.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
