Elandon Roberts Brings Toughness, Leadership, and Championship Mentality to Raiders Defense
With both of their starting linebackers from the 2024 season departing in free agency, the Las Vegas Raiders have turned to veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts to strengthen the heart of their defense.
Roberts, who spent the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, officially signed with the Raiders on Thursday. Shortly after, he addressed the media, expressing his excitement about joining Head Coach Pete Carroll’s squad.
“It’s the Raiders—who wouldn’t want to be a part of this organization?” Roberts said. “The foundation of this franchise was set long before my time, and it’s legendary.”
Roberts also spoke about his first impressions of Carroll.
“Coach Pete has a huge personality—not just as a football coach, but as a person,” he said. “Meeting him and feeling his energy, you can tell it’s authentic. That’s the type of leader I want to play for.”
Ready to Earn His Place
As for his role in the defense, Roberts is determined to prove himself.
“I don’t expect anything to be handed to me,” he stated. “I want to earn it earn my coaches’ trust, my teammates’ trust, the organization’s trust, and eventually, the trust of Raider Nation.”
Building trust has been a defining trait of Roberts’ career. A four-time team captain (2019-22) and recipient of the Miami Dolphins’ Ed Block Courage Award in 2021, he has consistently demonstrated high character and leadership qualities that undoubtedly factored into General Manager John Spytek’s decision to bring him in.
“What does it mean to be a Raider?” Spytek said at his introductory press conference. “Character is everything, and we take that responsibility seriously when choosing the right players for this team.”
Familiar Faces and a Smooth Transition
Roberts won’t be stepping into unfamiliar territory alone. He has past connections with several current Raiders, including former teammates Adam Butler and Christian Wilkins from Miami, as well as Jakobi Meyers from New England. Additionally, he shares strong ties with members of the coaching staff, including Robbie Leonard and Patrick Graham.
“Having familiar faces in the building brings a level of comfort,” Roberts explained. “But my job is to get to know everyone—to learn names, faces, and start building relationships right away. That’s what it takes to accomplish our goals.”
Championship Pedigree and Physicality
A sixth-round pick by the Patriots in 2016, Roberts knows what it takes to win at the highest level. With two Super Bowl rings (LI and LIII) and playoff appearances in seven of his nine NFL seasons, he brings invaluable postseason experience to the Raiders.
“You can’t take anything for granted—your teammates, your coaches, your preparation,” he said. “Everything matters, down to the smallest details.”
One thing Roberts has always embraced is physicality, and that’s exactly what he plans to bring to the Raiders defense.
“Physicality sets the tone. It defines how we want to play football,” he emphasized. “Teams know that about me—I’ve been doing this for a decade. Raider Nation, we’re going to have some fun this season.”
With Roberts adding toughness, leadership, and championship experience, the Raiders defense is poised to take on a new identity in 2025.
