Raiders Re-Sign Defensive Anchor: Defensive Starter Returns on New Deal

The Las Vegas Raiders continue to prove their commitment to keeping continuity in this new era.

 

Despite letting go of former head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco after just one season, the Raiders are hoping to shut down the revolving door at both spots. Not only are new head coach Pete Carroll and GM John Spytek positive solutions, but defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon are both returning as well. Making these moves put the Raiders in fantastic position to re-sign several of their key defensive free agents.

On Monday, the first domino finally fell.

The Raiders have agreed to a contract extension on safety Isaiah Pola-Mao.

According to Ian Rapoport, the restricted free agent safety signed a two-year deal worth up to $8.45 million.

A nephew of former Pittsburgh Steelers safety and Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu, the former USC product Pola-Mao has been part of the Raiders organization since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2022. For the first two seasons of his career, Pola-Mao made his mark primarily on special teams. He served as key defensive depth, waiting for an opportunity to prove himself.

In 2024, Pola-Mao’s opportunity finally arrived when starting safety Marcus Epps went down with a season-ending injury in Week Three.

Pola-Mao responded well, putting up a career season while starting the remaining 14 games. He set career highs in numerous defensive categories, including total tackles (85), passes defended (six) and forced fumbles (two). He also received AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in the Raiders’ Week 16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, recording nine tackles and both of his forced fumbles in that contest.

Pola-Mao is the first major move made by the Carroll-Spytek regime, and the floodgates for more potential re-signings have officially opened.