In a Bleacher Report article released on Friday September 5, 2025, titled, “2026 NFL Free Agents Next in Line After DaRon Bland, Nik Bonitto Extensions”, NFL expert Kristopher Knox predicted the Las Vegas Raiders will sign EDGE rusher Malcolm Koonce to a contract extension during the 2025 season.
“Koonce is healthy and prepared to regain his role as Maxx Crosby‘s top complement,” Knox wrote. “Koonce had a breakout campaign in 2023, finishing with eight sacks and 23 quarterback pressures. If he has a similar impact early this season, the Raiders will have to consider extending him early.”
Koonce missed the entire 2024 season with a torn ACL, and he’s currently on a 1-year, $11 million prove-it deal with Las Vegas.
But he’s still only 27 years old, and has made a full recovery. He has a great chance to return to his 2023 form.
“The price of pass-rushers, even complementary ones, continues to rise. Koonce is a promising 27-year-old who, if healthy and productive in 2025, will command a sizable salary on the open market.”
Defensive Line Will Be Key This Season
The Raiders certainly hope Malcolm Koonce can have a career year.
After the defense’s struggles in 2024 and with an unproven secondary heading into the 2025 season, the Raiders need the defensive line to be disruptive to opposing offenses.
Koonce’s role is going to be even more crucial in the wake of the Christian Wilkins drama from this offseason and his release from the Raiders.
The defensive line is automatically going to be better with the healthy return of Maxx Crosby, of course. When healthy, Crosby is one of the most dominant players in football. However, if he’s the only threat on the Las Vegas defensive line, opposing teams can double team him or otherwise focus their energy and resources on shutting him down.
But if the Raiders can have two star EDGE rushers, the league will be completely cooked, quite frankly.
The Raiders also hope that defensive tackle starters Jonah Laulu and Adam Butler can grow this season.
Jakobi Meyers Not Predicted To Get Extension
Interestingly, Knox did not pick Jakobi Meyers as a 2026 free agent who is likely to receive a contract extension.
Meyers requested a trade back on August 25, 2025 because he is seeking a contract extension. He is in the final season of a 3-year, $33 million contract with Las Vegas.
He’s also set to be the No. 1 receiver for Las Vegas this season after his 1,000 yard campaign in 2024.
But Knox did pick Jauan Jennings of the Raiders’ former Bay Area rival, the San Francisco 49ers, as a likely candidate for a contract extension. Jennings is a fellow wideout that had a breakout year in 2024 and requested a trade in search of an extension.
Knox’s prediction comes despite the 49ers’ frugal approach to free agent spending this past offseason, and the fact that the 49ers made a compromise with Jennings recently by upping his incentives instead of his base contract in 2025. The Raiders, by comparison, have been much more aggressive spenders.
Raiders fans, do you think Las Vegas should extend Malcolm Koonce? How about Ja’Kobi Meyers?
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