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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Las Vegas Raiders

David Roth

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks during the BlackRock Infrastructure Summit on March 11, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Podcasts

A Feast Of Sludge, With Ed Zitron

Ray Ratto

Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts on the sideline in the second half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 21, 2025.

Maxx Crosby Is Back In Football Purgatory

Head coach Pete Carroll of the Las Vegas Raiders speaks with Atonio Mafi #56 prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on January 4. The Raiders actually won this one but fired Carroll shortly after.

That Is Way Too Much Raiders, With Kalyn Kahler

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 07: Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and head coach Pete Carroll of the Las Vegas Raiders before the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on August 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Chip Kelly Learns That Like Any Ancient Evil, The Raiders Demand Blood


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

Only The Raiders Could Run A Play This Poorly

Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos speaks to Bo Nix (10) after a failed third-down conversion during the third quarter of Denver's awful, awful game against the Raiders on November 6, 2025.

Bad Football! No!

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Charles Omenihu #90 of the Kansas City Chiefs grabs the face mask of Geno Smith #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter in the game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

A Thorough And Depressing Review Of The Raiders’ Three First Downs

Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders practices during the team's training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center on July 28, 2025 in Henderson, Nevada.

Why Your Team Sucks: Las Vegas Raiders

Tom Ley

Christian Wilkins #94 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on from the sideline prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on October 6, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.

Christian Wilkins Saga Gains Smooch-Based Dimension

Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks meets with head coach Pete Carroll in the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lumen Field on November 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington.

Tom Brady’s Vision For The 2025 Raiders Looks An Awful Lot Like The 2023 Seahawks

An Enchanted Tools robot called the Mirokai is displayed during the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show CES in Las Vegas.

The Future Feels Like The Raiders, With Ed Zitron

Head coach Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on against the Los Angeles Chargers during a home game in Week 17 of the 2024 season.

Antonio Pierce Got What Every Raiders Coach Gets

Jon Gruden’s Quest To Coach Again Takes A Detour At The Dipshit Factory

Closeup of painted Oakland Raiders fans in Black Hole during game vs New York Jets in Oakland in 2003. They've got like weird helmets and skull stuff going on.

A Taste Of That Football-Shaped Bread, With Ray Ratto

Head coach Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders yells during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season.

Raiders Fire Three Coaches For Lack Of Anything Else To Do

Las Vegas Raiders owner and managing general partner and Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis (L) and Tom Brady attend Game One of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs finals between the Aces and the New York Liberty. Brady looks kind of gaunt and pointy; Davis looks like Mark Davis.

As Owner Or Broadcaster, All Tom Brady Has To Do Is Show Up

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce walks on the sidelines during the NFL game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens.

Antonio Pierce Abruptly Realizes He Is Coaching The Raiders

Owner and managing general partner Mark Davis of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on before his team play against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Las Vegas Raiders

Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on in the second half of a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 30, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan.

Do Not Disrespect The Patriots In Front Of The Man Who No Longer Works For Them

<div>Nate Jackson is a former NFL tight end and author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/slow-getting-up-a-story-of-nfl-survival-from-the-bottom-of-the-pile-nate-jackson/6430451?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpc-oBhCGARIsAH6ote9JzWMngZDpSjF2eoL1_JlyPm2QhDfkNgOzqvaB4n9ic0qqUNQ4iCwaAsasEALw_wcB"><em>Slow Getting Up</em></a>. He lives in Denver.</div>
<div></div>


Nate Jackson

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels stands there looking like a stupid asshole in his visor and headset.

The Problem Was Always Josh McDaniels

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 01: Owner and managing general partner Mark Davis (L) of the Las Vegas Raiders talks with head coach Josh McDaniels on the Raiders' sideline before the team's game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Same As It Ever Was In Raiderland

Jordan Love is pushed by a Raiders defender after throwing a pass.

Jordan Love Flops Against A Very Bearsy Opponent

Sportscaster Jim Gray, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and Las Vegas Raiders owner and managing general partner and Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis watch players warm up during halftime of a game between the Connecticut Sun and the Aces

Tom Brady’s Minority Ownership Deal Could Use Some Competition

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels speaks with owner Mark Davis prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington.