The dog days of summer are starting to take shape in Las Vegas. On May 21, 2026, the Raiders officially locked in dates and times for their three-game 2026 preseason slate, providing coaches, players, and fans a clear roadmap to the upcoming regular season. While the schedule is limited to three contests--reflecting the modern NFL preseason format--each game carries significant weight for a team in transition under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek.
Let's break down the matchups, timing, and what these games mean for a Raiders roster undergoing a major makeover over the past several months.
The Full Slate
- Preseason Week 1 (Aug. 13): vs. Arizona Cardinals -- Allegiant Stadium
- Preseason Week 2 (Aug. 20): at Houston Texans -- NRG Stadium
- Preseason Week 3 (late August, exact date TBD): vs. San Francisco 49ers -- Allegiant Stadium
The NFL's decision to maintain a three-game preseason schedule remains intact for 2026, and the Raiders' opponents offer a compelling mix of familiar and fresh challenges. The Cardinals and 49ers, both NFC West rivals, are teams the Raiders don't face in regular-season play but have cross-division scouting familiarity with. The lone road game against the Texans gives Las Vegas an opportunity to test their mettle in a hostile environment before the stakes rise in September.
Preseason Week 1: Arizona Cardinals -- The Audition Phase
Opening the preseason at home against the Cardinals serves as a soft launch for Klint Kubiak's new system. As is typical in the first preseason game, starters usually see limited action--if any--while backups and roster hopefuls get their first real look in live action. This game will be an important audition for players fighting for roster spots.
The quarterback room merits close attention. Kirk Cousins is the established starter following his offseason signing, but there's substantial intrigue behind him. Fourth-year backup Aidan O'Connell will compete for snaps alongside rookie Fernando Mendoza and undrafted free agent Jacob Clark. The Raiders' choice to carry four quarterbacks on the 90-man roster highlights the team's commitment to fierce competition behind Cousins.
The running back group also commands scrutiny. First-round 2025 pick Ashton Jeanty is expected to be the bell cow, but Chris Collier, Dylan Laube, and Roman Hemby are vying for depth roles. Jeanty may see limited carries in this opener, positioning Collier and Laube to earn extended looks against the Cardinals' second and third-string defense.
Special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis will be closely evaluating return specialists. Tre Tucker, who has flashed as a playmaker in the return game, will battle with Jalen Nailor and Brenden Rice for return duties. Bubble players' performances on special teams coverage unit roles in this game could be pivotal to their chances of making the final roster.
Preseason Week 2: at Houston Texans -- The Competitive Test
Heading to Houston for the Week 2 preseason game presents the Raiders with a more traditional dress rehearsal. This week typically marks starters' most extensive playing time, often extending into the second quarter or beyond. It will feature a first true look at how Kubiak's offense and defensive coordinator Rob Leonard's defense handle live competition against a distinct scheme.
The offensive line is a particular focus. The Raiders invested significantly in the trenches during the offseason, acquiring center Tyler Linderbaum via trade and drafting tackle Charles Grant. This unit is still meshing, and facing a Texans front seven anchored by young talent will be a genuine test. Left tackle Kolton Miller and right tackle DJ Glaze appear secure, but the guard battle between Jordan Meredith, Will Putnam, and Trey Zuhn III remains very much open.
On defense, the Raiders have revamped personnel. Edge rushers Maxx Crosby and Kwity Paye remain the core, but depth players Malcolm Koonce, Jahfari Harvey, and Keyron Crawford need to prove themselves in rotation. The linebacker corps, bolstered by offseason additions Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, looks to provide new energy alongside returning starter Tommy Eichenberg. Leonard's utilization of his second level in a game testing both the run and pass will be a key narrative.
The secondary is playing under a new look as well. Slot corner Taron Johnson, a major free-agent signing, and newcomers Eric Stokes and Chigozie Anusiem will compete with returning corners Decamerion Richardson and Darien Porter. Safeties Jeremy Chinn and Terrell Edmunds are expected starters, but Isaiah Pola-Mao continues pushing for reps. This contest will provide valuable insight into the secondary's developing chemistry.
Preseason Week 3: San Francisco 49ers -- The Final Audition
The preseason finale against the 49ers in Allegiant Stadium is likely to feature backups and roster hopefuls almost exclusively, with most starters resting to avoid injury. This game is essentially a last call for bubble players and rookies to make a case before final cuts.
Expect a heavy dose of rookies and undrafted free agents battling for depth roles. Wide receivers Malik Benson, E.J. Williams Jr., and Corey Rucker are among those striving for a roster spot. At tight end, Michael Mayer sits clearly behind Brock Bowers, but Ian Thomas and Albert Okwuegbunam Jr. contend for the third tight end role, a spot often influenced by special teams contributions.
Defensively, focus will be on the interior defensive line rotation. Veterans Adam Butler and Thomas Booker IV anchor the unit, but younger players like Tonka Hemingway, Jonah Laulu, and Brodric Martin-Rhodes need to show they can handle the physical demands of NFL run defense. second-year JJ Pegues, a versatile defender who played both sides of the ball in college, will also be an interesting prospect to watch.
What It All Means
For a Raiders team undergoing significant change at multiple levels, every preseason snap will matter more than usual. Kubiak and offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko are installing a system designed to maximize Cousins' skill set and Jeanty's versatility as a running back and receiving threat. Rob Leonard's defense aims to blend speed and aggression with discipline.
The trio of preseason games offers a clear progression from evaluation in Week 1, competition in Week 2, to final auditions in Week 3. Two home games against NFC West opponents combined with a meaningful road test against the Texans provide diverse challenges. The timing of the games--from mid- to late August--fits well into the team's preparation timeline.
On August 13, when the Raiders take the field against the Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium, it will mark the symbolic start of a new era. While it is only an exhibition game, it represents Klint Kubiak's first appearance as head coach leading this franchise. For players, it signals the start of a six-week audition for the final 53-man roster. For the front office, spearheaded by John Spytek, it is the initial moment to assess the offseason roster building and coaching bets.
Final roster cuts will come weeks later after the preseason concludes, but the groundwork will be laid in these three contest weeks. Raiders fans have cause to be excited as the countdown to meaningful football officially begins.
Buckle up. The 2026 season journey is underway.
Word Count: Approximately 1,215 words