Key Takeaways
– Rookies report July 23, veterans report July 28, exactly one month from now
– Three-game preseason slate announced, including high-stakes joint practices with the Houston Texans on August 18
– Two high-profile rookies remain unsigned: quarterback Fernando Mendoza and cornerback Jermod McCoy, both of whom need to be locked in before camp opens
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The NFL officially dropped training camp report dates for all 32 teams Tuesday, and the Raiders’ calendar is now set in stone. Here is exactly what the next six weeks look like:
July 23 — Rookies report to camp
July 28 — Veterans report to camp
August 13 — Preseason opener vs. Arizona Cardinals
August 18 — Joint practices vs. Houston Texans
August 20 — Preseason game vs. Houston Texans
August 27 — Preseason finale vs. San Francisco 49ers
August 30 — Roster cut to 53 players
September 4 — Week 1 vs. Miami Dolphins
The standout item on the schedule is the joint practices with the Houston Texans on August 18, immediately preceding the second preseason game. This is a legitimate litmus test, pitting DeMeco Ryans’ aggressive defense against Klint Kubiak’s evolving offense in live, scripted work. Joint sessions are where a coaching staff discovers the true depth of their roster, particularly along the offensive line and within the secondary.
One month from today, the rookies return to the building. A little over a month after that, the real work begins.
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Walk the Plank
There are two names that should be on every Raider Nation member’s mind as camp approaches: Mendoza and McCoy.
The Raiders’ entire quarterback future and a critical piece of their secondary are still unsigned. Rookies report in 30 days. Veterans follow five days later. While these contracts almost always get finalized before the pads come on, the clock is real.
Mendoza’s situation is well-documented: the money is agreed upon, but the fight remains over the payment timing. Even the most patient fans are wondering when John Spytek finally closes the loop. McCoy’s situation is more nuanced, with a first-round talent who slipped to the fourth round arguing for a compensation structure that reflects his actual grade. Both will eventually sign, but from a preparation standpoint, both should have been signed yesterday.
Beyond the unsigned rookie drama, this is the most intriguing camp the Raiders have hosted in years. A new head coach, a franchise quarterback of the future, and a defense being rebuilt around Maxx Crosby and Quay Walker. Add in joint practices against an AFC contender and a receiving corps with genuine weaponry, and you have a recipe for high drama.
If you’re a Raiders fan and you aren’t paying close attention this August, you’re missing the foundation being built. The Miami game in Week 1 will provide the first real answers, but training camp is where the truth is revealed.
