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Las Vegas Raiders DT Adam Butler.
Things have gone awry for the Las Vegas Raiders. While they weren’t expected to be a Super Bowl contender this season, many thought they’d be better than 2-7.
Head coach Pete Carroll has a long history of winning and usually does a great job of building a culture, but there seems to be a disconnect between the roster and the coaching staff. When the offense plays well, the defense fails, and when the defense shuts down an opponent, the offense can’t do anything.
There’s something going on with the team that hasn’t really been reported on, and defensive tackle Adam Butler made some comments that are stirring speculation.
“It’s very frustrating sometimes, I can’t lie, when the other side isn’t delivering the way you think that they should deliver, and sometimes it’s frustrating when we don’t deliver how we should deliver,” Butler told reporters on Tuesday.
“Everybody can see what’s going on, we know what’s going on and the only thing we can do is do our job. I just focus on doing my job and focusing on helping the team win.”
It’s unclear what he means by “everybody can see what’s going on.” It’s obvious that the team isn’t very good, but it’s possible that there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes.
Sometimes teams are just bad because they lack talent. The Raiders don’t have an overly talented roster, so that’s likely the biggest reason they aren’t good, but Butler’s comments suggest that there could be something else.
The most obvious potential issue could be coaching. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has not done a good job this season, and players could be turning on him. He’s paid a lot and isn’t known to form great relationships with players.
Some players could be fed up with the fact that he hasn’t been held accountable for the Raiders’ offensive woes. There could also be frustration that quarterback Geno Smith hasn’t been benched despite his poor play. There are many reasons why Raiders players could be frustrated right now.
Heading into the season, it seemed like a given that Carroll would at least get two of three years to turn the Raiders around, but the team wasn’t expected to be this bad. It still might be too early to put Carroll on the hot seat, but it’s definitely warming up.
What’s not going to help Carroll is that he’s the reason why the team traded a third-round pick for Smith and gave him a big contract extension. The Raiders need to start showing signs of progress. Carroll is 74 years old, so he’s not the kind of coach the team is going to want to be patient with.
Carroll likely has enough juice to keep his job if the Raiders can win another two or three games, but Kelly is very much on the hot seat. The offense has to play better, or there’s a chance he could get fired before the end of the season.
In a stunning move that has left NFL fans buzzing, the Washington Commanders re-signed safety Darrick Forrest late Tuesday night, just hours after the Pittsburgh Steelers cut him from their roster. The decision to bring back Forrest, a player who spent the first part of his career with Washington, signals a deep commitment to strengthening the team’s struggling secondary amid a series of injuries and inconsistent performances in recent weeks.
Forrest, who was originally drafted by the Commanders in 2021, quickly earned a reputation for his physicality and solid communication skills on the field. Known for his ability to read the game and deliver in clutch moments, Forrest was a key part of Washington’s defense before an unfortunate season-ending injury sidelined him for most of 2024. After recovering from the injury, Forrest signed with the Steelers in late October in an effort to revive his career, but his stint in Pittsburgh was brief, with the team releasing him just before Week 11.
Washington, facing a secondary plagued by injuries, wasted no time in picking up the phone and reuniting with the young safety. According to league sources, the Commanders were immediately interested in bringing Forrest back, seeing him as a player who understands the team’s culture and can step in seamlessly despite his short time away.
“We know exactly what Darrick brings to the table — energy, toughness, and a relentless work ethic,” said one Commanders coach. “He’s been here before, and he knows what we expect. We’re excited to have him back, especially as we continue to deal with the challenges in the secondary.”
Forrest’s return to Washington couldn’t come at a more crucial time. With the defense being forced to rely on younger, less experienced players due to injuries, Forrest offers an instant boost in terms of leadership and reliability. His ability to communicate effectively in the backfield will provide stability to a unit that has been shaky at times this season.
While Forrest’s time in Pittsburgh may have been brief, it wasn’t without value. His experience in a different defensive system and his time on the practice squad will only add depth to his game, making him a valuable asset for Washington’s defense moving forward. His reunion with the team is a testament to the belief the Commanders have in his potential to make an immediate impact.
In a statement reflecting his gratitude, Forrest said, “It feels great to be back. Washington was where I got my start, and it’s a place that believed in me when no one else did. Now, it’s time to pick up where I left off and help this team get back on track.”
The Commanders’ defensive coaches have always appreciated Forrest’s versatility, and his physicality will be key as Washington continues to battle against some of the NFL’s top offenses in the second half of the season. Whether it’s as a special teams contributor or playing a key role in the secondary, Forrest’s presence will undoubtedly be felt as the Commanders look to climb out of the NFC East basement.
What’s Next for the Commanders?
Washington has made it clear that they are committed to winning, even in the face of adversity. With Forrest now back in the fold, the Commanders hope to stabilize a defense that has shown flashes of potential but has struggled with consistency. His return brings not only talent but also the leadership that has been missing in the secondary, especially as the team approaches the stretch run of the 2025 season.
The Commanders’ next test will come on Sunday, as they face off against a high-powered offense that will surely put their revamped defense to the test. For Forrest, the challenge is clear: he’s back, and he’s ready to prove that the best place to move forward is indeed where he started.
Stay tuned to ESPN for all the latest updates!