ESPN Analyst Kyle Brandt Slams Media for Ignoring Las Vegas Raiders' Hot Start

ESPN and NFL Network analyst Kyle Brandt has vocally criticized sports media networks for their perceived disrespect toward the Las Vegas Raiders, particularly in light of the team's strong 2-0 start to the season. Brandt expressed frustration that despite the Raiders achieving their best opening to a season since 2021, the team is not a topic of discussion on major sports shows.

Appearing on ESPN's "Big Day," hosted by Peter Schrager, Brandt donned a Raiders letterman jacket adorned with patches commemorating the team's Super Bowl victories. He delivered a passionate monologue directed at the Raiders, emphasizing their current success. "Las Vegas Raiders, listen up. I want you to listen to the silence. Two games. Two double-digit wins. Can you hear that?" Brandt stated, questioning the lack of external attention. "That’s who’s talking about the Raiders. That’s who believes in the Raiders."

Brandt challenged the narrative that the Raiders are not garnering attention because of their past struggles, suggesting that younger fans have only known recent success. "I don’t want to listen to the past. I don’t give a damn that there are 23-year-old adults who have never seen the Raiders win in January. Because there are 9-month-old babies that have never seen the Raiders lose in September," he argued.

He further contended that the lack of prime-time game appearances contributes to the media's oversight, contrasting the Raiders' situation with teams like the Browns and Chargers, who are scheduled for more prominent national broadcasts later in the season. Brandt highlighted the Raiders' decisive victory over the Chargers the previous Sunday, questioning why the focus shifted to the Chargers' struggles rather than the Raiders' performance.

"You slap the Chargers around a little bit, and it’s all, ‘What’s wrong with the Chargers?’ How about what’s right with the Raiders?" Brandt asserted. He lamented that "there is more talk about Mike McDaniels’ sideline drip than Klint Kubiak’s record. Nobody wants to hear about the Raiders."

Brandt, a regular on shows like "Get Up," "First Take," and "NFL Live," claimed to have appeared on numerous programs that day without any discussion of the Raiders' positive momentum. He characterized the situation by saying, "The autumn wind is a Raider, but the A Block is A Chief, Bronco and Charger."

Schrager joined in Brandt's critique, pointing to the extensive scripting of "First Take" that allegedly omitted any questions about the Raiders while focusing on other teams. Brandt concluded his impassioned plea by invoking the spirit of the Raiders' late owner, Al Davis, stating the team is living by his mantra: "Just. Win. Baby."

Brandt expressed confidence that the Raiders would improve to 3-0 with a subsequent victory against the New Orleans Saints.