Rich Gannon Shares Take on the 2023-24 Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders legend Rich Gannon gave his predictions and thoughts on what the Raiders need to do to have a successful year.

If anyone knows what it takes to win in a Las Vegas Raiders uniform, it's former NFL MVP Rich Gannon.

The six-year Oakland Raiders quarterback led the Silver and Black to two conference championship games and a trip to Super Bowl XXXVII.

Gannon was also named to four straight Pro Bowls and won his MVP award during his years in Oakland.

The former Raider shared his thoughts on how successful Las Vegas can be this season in a video on The 33rd Team:

"I am cautiously optimistic about my Raiders in 2023, and here's why. I had a great sit-down conversation with Jimmy Garoppolo on Saturday afternoon. And just my impressions, my takeaways from where the Raiders are, really in Year 2 under Dave Ziegler, the general manager, and Coach Josh McDaniels. I just think there's a certain comfort level with Jimmy Garoppolo. He's got a history with Josh McDaniels from a time together in New England when he was a young player. I think the six years in San Francisco has served him well with Kyle Shanahan.

"He is a different player than when he left New England. He's more experienced, I think he's a more savvy veteran, understands protections and concepts better. You sit down with Josh McDaniels and [he] said: 'He's a better player than when we had him early in his career.' I think Jimmy Garoppolo -- if he can stay healthy -- is going to have a special season for the Raiders on offense.

"Davante Adams is terrific. Michael Mayer, the young tight end, I think he's got a chance to be a special player. I think when you look at adding Jakobi Meyers to what they already have in the passing game. And I think the key is: Can they get Josh Jacobs back sooner rather than later? If they can get him in here in the next week or so and get him up and running, I think the Raiders can be pretty special on offense.

"The biggest concern, obviously, with the Raiders is: Where are they going to be defensively? I think they've improved at all three levels of their defense. Defensive line -- the defensive tackle position has been a point of emphasis. That room has been completely re-worked. As has the secondary. You look at the safety position, you look at the cornerback position; we'll probably see three new starters in the secondary for the Raiders. The biggest concern, I think, is the depth and productivity at the linebacker position.

"But here's the key for the Raiders defensively. We know what they have in Maxx Crosby. How much better can they be rushing the passer? Chandler Jones has to play better than he did a year ago. And Tyree Wilson, who got back on the practice field this week from that foot injury and that surgery -- he looks like he's got a chance to be a pretty special player. If they can get some juice and productivity off the opposite edge from Maxx Crosby, I think the Raiders can get a whole lot better defensively. And a better Raider defense may mean twice as many wins as we saw a season ago."

The Silver and Black return to preseason action when they play the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT.

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