The Las Vegas Raiders add versatile safety and former Washington Commander Jeremy Chinn on a two-year deal worth $16 million. Vegas lost safety Tre’von Moehrig in NFL free agency to the Carolina Panthers, as they signed Chinn to replace him in the secondary. The new head coach, Pete Carroll, gets his hybrid defensive back, and he can drop into the box as a linebacker. This is a cheap but flexible move to add another piece to a defense that will need to make a massive jump in 2025.
Raiders Sign Chinn to a 2-Year Deal
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Raiders bring in an experienced starter in the secondary with Chinn. The 27-year-old started last season for the Washington Commanders and spent four years with the Carolina Panthers. At 6’3″ and 220 pounds, he has the speed and size to become a chess piece for this defense. Vegas also lost linebacker Robert Spillane to the New England Patriots in free agency as well, so this move that includes $12 million in guarantees is not a bad one.
They get even more size at the position that has Isaiah Pola-Mao, who they re-signed a few weeks ago and can play either free or strong safety. Chinn can fill in as their starting strong safety with veteran and free agent free safety Marcus Epps coming off a season-ending injury. He is coming off a healthy season and had 117 total tackles, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, an interception, and 5 pass deflections.
He will boost a defense that re-signed their star pass rusher Maxx Crosby and gives more stability at the position without Moehrig. The new addition at safety is older but a way cheaper option, as Tre’Von signed a three-year deal worth $51 million. Carroll gets a player he can move around, similar to linebacker Divine Deablo, who has experience at safety from college. Having multiple versatile players will only help a defense that fell flat in 2024, especially with their secondary. This offseason is a good starting point to build it back up for 2025.
