Checklist for 2021

Now that the 2020 season has been put to rest for Las Vegas, the Raiders have shifted their focus to what figures to be a busy offseason as they prepare for 2021.

There is no shortage of areas that need to be upgraded, and although they did finish with their best record since 2016, it’s clear the Raiders still have plenty of work to do in order to avoid collapsing down the stretch like they’ve done each of the last two seasons.

It’s a fact that is not lost on head coach Jon Gruden.

“Our goal is to win a championship and you shouldn’t go on a cruise or go on a vacation when you’re 8-8,” Gruden said. “We’ve got to take a good look at how we can close the gap. We feel like we did to a degree with the best teams in the league, but we’re not there yet. There’s not a lot of time to rest when you’re 8-8. We’ve got work to do.”

The main priority is finding a replacement for defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, a process that began within days of Las Vegas’ season-ending win over the Denver Broncos.

It’s critical that Gruden get this one right.

Here are some other issues the Raiders need to address as they look toward next season.