The 25-year-old safety stays in Las Vegas, as Isaiah Pola-Mao inks a 2-year extension with the Raiders as one of their key defensive stars for 2025. He started at strong safety due to veteran strong safety Marcus Epps and his injury that kept him basically out all of the 2024 season. The former undrafted rookie from 2022 out of USC played well enough to warrant a new contract, as it was either the Raiders signing his RFA tender or he would get extended.
The special team ace Pola-Mao gives Las Vegas more stability at the safety position and flexibility, as free safety Tre’von Moehrig, along with Epps, could hit the open market. With the Raiders defense needing improvement in the backend, this was a great first step in retaining a young star on a team-friendly deal. The UDFA hidden gem could take a bigger step forward with a new head coach who happens to be one of the best defensive minds in the NFL in Pete Caroll coming in.
Pola-Mao Stays in Vegas on 2-Year Extension
#Raiders S Isaiah Pola-Mao has signed a 2-year extension today worth up to $8.45M, per The Insiders.
An RFA and nephew of HOFer Troy Polamalu, Pola-Mao started the final 14 games and was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 16. Deal done by @SteveCaric of @Wasserman. pic.twitter.com/APbMi5Pdkv
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 24, 2025
At 6’4″ and 205 pounds, Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu’s cousin can start in place of either Epps or Moehrig this upcoming season. Pola-Mao was a starter in the final 14 games of the 2024 season and had a standout performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. He had 11 total tackles and 2 forced fumbles, winning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week. The season before as mostly a backup, the special teamer had a sack and an interception, along with his rookie season the year prior where he recorded another sack as well. In 2024, the safety recorded 5 pass deflections also.
The young superstar gets an extension worth up to $8.45M for the next two seasons. If Moehrig and/or Epps are not retained, Pola-Mao gets the green light as the penciled-in starter with experience in this defense. This was a great insurance move for Vegas, as this is still a relatively cheap deal to what he potentially could get this offseason or next if he hit the market as a restricted or unrestricted free agent. They will still need another safety either through free agency or in the 2025 NFL Draft.
This extension still makes him the 30-40th highest-paid safety, among players like Josh Metullus, another versatile special teamer. Pola-Mao fits the mold of what the veteran play-caller Carroll likes in a safety during his Legion of Boom days with the Seattle Seahawks. With his size, he can be a movable chess piece for his defense rushing the passer, stopping the run, and defending the pass. Even with a lackluster secondary, Pola-Mao did shine in his own way, and new General Manager John Spytek, coming over from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rewarded it with a new deal for him.
