The Las Vegas Raiders signed safety Jeremy Chinn to a 2 year, 16 million deal this off-season with 12.25 million guaranteed in order to bolster their safety position.
Chinn was coming off a 2024 season
that saw him log 117 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks, an interception, 5 PBU, and 2 forced fumbles with the Commanders and the 6’3/225 safety has been a near replica this season for the Raiders. Chinn has posted 65 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 pass breakups, and a forced fumble this season with 17 stops and just 5 missed tackles. A large reason for a small dip in Chinn’s production was the Raiders choice in his usage prior to the last two seasons. In 2024 with the Commanders, Chinn logged 67% of his snaps inside the box as a nickel linebacker while the Raiders have played him in that role on 71% of his snaps this season. Prior to their week 9 and 10 games following the bye week, Chinn had spent 55% of his snaps in that role while mainly playing a traditional safety role on 40% of his snaps which he hadn’t done ever in his career. The struggle was initial for Chinn in that role though had his flashes as well and since moving to the nickel role he held with the Commanders and the majority of his career he’s allowed just two receptions for 2 yards with 6 stops, 2 TFL, and 12 tackles in two weeks.
The Raiders have transitioned Chinn to the traditional nickel linebacker role he has played also in a way to supplement the loss of Germaine Pratt and struggles of Devin White and Elandon Roberts at the second level with Chinn bringing a good physical nature against the run and intermediate pass. In addition, it has allowed for Isaiah Pola-Mao to transition back to his box safety role and allow a true high safety in Lonnie Johnson and/or Tristin McCollum to absorb the role on that side for the Raiders. The Raiders defense has taken strides after their transition allowing 30 points to the Jaguars but just 10 to the Broncos and their yards/game and yards/play have both dropped by almost 20% in that span as well.
Chinn is signed through the 2026 season where the then 29 year old will be slated to hit the open market again, the Raiders are holding a projected 110 million in cap space for next season and with Chinn holding only a 9.6 million cap hit (3.1% of the cap) the Raiders could look to extend him in an effort to maintain an emphasis of their secondary and assist with the defensive turnover that no doubt will be coming following this season. Chinn has spoke highly about the Raiders and his love for Las Vegas, and the Raiders have lacked a true physical player at the second level of their defense for a long time that can both play the run and pass game. Chinn’s projected extension sits at 2 years, 18 million which is just a touch over his current deal and would bring the total deal to a 3 year, 27.6 million with an AAV of 9.2 million which would likely lower his 2026 cap hit and add minimal hits in 2027 and 2028. The extension would allow the Raiders to keep Chinn’s play till he’s 31 and through another 3 seasons helping to solidify a member of a defensive unit lacking talent and it allows for Chinn to hit free agency again at 31 years old and cash in again.
