On Monday, 27th October, we heard the news that veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett has joined the Las Vegas Raiders. This move follows Lockett’s release from the Tennessee Titans and reunites the 33-year-old with former Seattle colleagues Pete Carroll and Geno Smith.
From the moment Tennessee granted Lockett’s release request, Las Vegas looked his likeliest destination ahead of the 4th November trade deadline. If Lockett, Carroll, and Smith can rediscover some of their old chemistry, the Raiders might yet salvage something from the 2025 season.
Phenomenal Numbers in Seattle
Fast Facts: Get to know WR Tyler Lockett on and off the field.https://t.co/KHQajGwGCO
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 27, 2025
A standout star for the Kansas State Wildcats, Tyler Lockett broke several of the college records set by his father, Kenny Lockett, who played for the Chiefs, Redskins, Jaguars, and Jets during his NFL career.
Following that electric college career, Lockett was selected by the Seahawks as the 69th overall pick in the third round of the 2015 draft. Initially making a big impact on special teams, Lockett ended his debut season as the only rookie selected as a First-Team All-Pro.
By 2019, a combination of his safe hands, elite speed, and discipline established Lockett as a top-tier wideout. During his time in Seattle, he racked up 40+ catches in 10 consecutive seasons, including a 2019-2022 streak in which he amassed 1000+ receiving yards in four successive campaigns.
Lockett never won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks, but left with 661 receptions, 8,594 receiving yards, and 61 receiving touchdowns. Each of those totals places him behind only Hall of Fame receiver Steve Largent on the Seahawks’ all-time list.
Short Stay in Nashville
Lockett’s release from Seattle was primarily driven by salary cap concerns, but a drop in his numbers – 49 receptions in 2024 compared to 79 in 2023 – seems likely to have played a role.
Signing for Tennessee on 23rd April 2025 on a one-year $4 million deal, Lockett looked like a solid addition to the Titans’ underwhelming receiving corps. It’s fair to say that this relationship has failed to catch fire. In seven games for the Titans (one start), Lockett had 10 receptions for just 70 yards and no scores.
Struggling to gain any momentum and sacrificing playing time to rookies Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor, Lockett requested to be released from his contract on 20 October. That request was granted, and seven days later, Lockett was confirmed as a Raider.
Raiders a Team in Need
Sitting on a 2-5 record, the Raiders enjoyed a bye week in week 8. That break gave the squad ample time to reflect on one of their most inept displays in recent memory. In their 31-0 defeat at Kansas, the Raiders managed only 95 total yards from just 30 offensive plays – the lowest offensive play figure since Cleveland’s 28-play outing in 1999.
That abject display at Arrowhead reinforced what the eyes and stats had been telling fans all season – the Raiders clearly need help on offense. At the end of week 8, the Las Vegas offense ranked sixth-worst for passing, second-worst for scoring, and third-worst overall in the NFL.
Focusing on the receiving corps, Tre Tucker leads the way with 389 yards and four TDs, but he ranks only 36th in the NFL. With Jakobi Meyers nursing knee and toe injuries and seeking a trade, and rookies Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr struggling to make an impact, this move for Lockett makes sense.
Trusted Target for Smith
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Struggling quarterback Geno Smith carries some of the blame for the Raiders’ desperate start. Through seven games, Smith has thrown a league-high 10 interceptions, while his 77.1 passer rating ranks 31st among the 33 qualified quarterbacks.
At 33 years of age, Lockett can’t be expected to resolve all of these issues on his own. However, Raiders fans may find encouragement in the relationship Smith and Lockett enjoyed in Seattle. During Smith’s three seasons as a starter (2022-2024), Lockett caught 221 passes for 2,527 yards and 16 touchdowns. If rediscovering similar levels of productivity, the acquisition of Lockett should inspire an uptick in the Raiders’ offensive fortunes.
A Move with Limited Downside?
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The signing of a player who couldn’t establish himself in a below-par Titans offense may not set the pulse racing. However, for Lockett and the Raiders, this move may be a gamble worth taking. After all, both player and franchise only need to improve from a low base.
Returning to work with a quarterback he knows well, Lockett will hope to at least better his average of seven yards per reception in Tennessee. It won’t take much for him to improve the Raiders’ desperate offensive stats.
A playoff push remains unlikely, but Lockett’s arrival could at least steady the ship and give Raiders fans a reason to hope for progress over the second half of the season.