The Las Vegas Raiders entered the 2025 season with renewed optimism under head coach Pete Carroll, but their 1-3 start has revealed more questions than answers, with the secondary becoming a huge liability on defense.
While the defense put together one of its strongest collective efforts in Week 4’s heartbreaking 25-24 loss to the Chicago Bears, one glaring issue remains: the play of starting safety Isaiah Pola-Mao.
Pola-Mao has been one of the league’s worst-performing safeties through four weeks. His 31.1 overall grade by Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranks 127th out of 129 qualified safeties. He allowed a perfect passer rating in Weeks 2 and 3, and was beaten over the top, allowing a 27-yard touchdown from Caleb Williams to Rome Odunze in Week 4.
If the Raiders want to stay competitive in a tough AFC West division, they can’t afford continued lapses at such a critical position. Fortunately, there’s a proven veteran still available on the open market, and he not only has a track record of elite play but also extensive experience in the division.
A Proven Veteran Waiting for a Call
Four-time All-Pro safety Justin Simmons remains unsigned through four weeks into the season, and according to Caleb Gebrewold of Just Blog Baby, the Raiders are “flirting with disaster” if they don’t make a move for Simmons.
“It remains unclear why Simmons has not been picked up yet, but he clearly still has gas in the tank and a wealth of experience to draw from,” Gebrewold wrote. “He likely won’t cost much at this point, and it is clear that he would be a better option at free safety than Pola-Mao has been over the first four weeks.”
Despite turning 32 later this year, Simmons has continued to play at a high level, earning All-Pro honors in three consecutive seasons from 2021 to 2023, and has compiled an impressive career that includes 665 tackles, 32 interceptions, and 134 games played.
Simmons’ combination of intelligence, range, and leadership could immediately elevate a young Raiders secondary that has struggled to find consistency. His experience in the AFC West, having spent eight seasons with the Denver Broncos, gives him an advantage with divisional opponents. That kind of insight could prove invaluable for a team still learning the ropes.
Moreover, Simmons’ skill set perfectly aligns with what the Raiders need. While Pola-Mao has routinely been out of position, Simmons has long been praised for his instincts and ability to read quarterbacks. His closing speed and anticipation would help eliminate some of the coverage busts that have plagued the Raiders through the first month of the season.
Why Signing Justin Simmons Makes Too Much Sense
GettySafety Justin Simmons #31 of the Atlanta Falcons intercepts a pass intended for Noah Gray #83 of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Financially, this move is a low-risk, high-reward scenario. Simmons is no longer commanding top-tier free-agent money, and his market value has likely dropped due to his age. That makes him an affordable option for a Raiders team looking to plug one of its major defensive holes without compromising its future flexibility.
Additionally, bringing in Simmons would send a clear message: poor performance won’t be tolerated. Replacing Pola-Mao with a respected veteran would reinforce that standard across the roster.
In the end, the solution seems obvious. Simmons is a proven, reliable defender who still has plenty left to offer. For a Raiders defense that’s starting to find its identity, adding a player of his caliber could be the difference between another disappointing season and a legitimate turnaround.
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