Jon Gruden did not need words to make his point.
Videos by FanBuzz
Photo credit: Getty Images
After the Las Vegas Raiders officially secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the former Raiders coach posted a simple GIF on X showing the team's flag waving. No caption. No explanation. The message was clear enough.
Las Vegas locked up the top pick before it even took the field Sunday. The New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys earlier in the day at MetLife Stadium, sealing the Raiders' draft position regardless of what happened later.
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) January 5, 2026
That made the finale at Allegiant Stadium something closer to a free swing. The Raiders hosted the Kansas City Chiefs without Patrick Mahomes, and they played with nothing to lose.
The result was a feel-good ending to a difficult season. Kicker Daniel Carlson drilled a career-long 60-yard field goal as time expired, lifting Las Vegas to a 14-12 win and snapping a 10-game losing streak.
The victory did little to change the larger picture. The Raiders finished the 2025 season with just three wins and enter the offseason with major questions across the roster. But holding the top pick gives the organization something it has not had in years. Real leverage.
Assuming Las Vegas keeps the selection, it will have options. The Raiders have already been linked to Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers, though other top prospects are sure to be in the mix as the draft process unfolds.
Nearly two decades after selecting JaMarcus Russell No. 1 overall, the Raiders are back in a familiar position. This time, they are hoping it leads to a very different outcome.
