With their two starting safeties both hitting the open market this offseason, safety remains a priority for the Las Vegas Raiders. So much so that Sin City elected to start the Pete Carroll era by re-signing Isaiah Pola-Mao, keeping the USC alum around for the next two seasons on a deal worth up to $8.45 million in total.
Pola-Mao, an undrafted free agent in the 2022 NFL Draft, has spent each of his three seasons in the National Football League as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. He’s appeared in 44 contests, starting 14 in 2024 after Marcus Epps, Pola-Mao’s safety-mate, suffered a season-ending injury.
This past season was a memorable one for the 25-year-old safety, for more reasons than earning 14 starts throughout the season. In addition to recording the first forced fumble of his career – followed by a second later in the year – Pola-Mao was able to break up five passes his way. This stood as the most among safeties in Sin City, and third-most on the team behind cornerbacks Jack Jones (10) and Jakorian Bennet (7).
The third-year safety was effective in other areas as well. As a pass-rusher, Pola-Mao was able to get into the sack column for the third-straight season. And against the run, only three Raiders defenders ended their ’24 campaign with a better mark via Pro Football Focus.
Only Tre’von Moehrig (87.5), Robert Spillane (87.3), and Luke Masterson (77.1) finished last season with a higher grade against the run than Pola-Mao’s 72.4.
Las Vegas’ general manager John Spytek did well to start addressing his team’s safety situation. His work at the position isn’t over, however.
Isaiah Pola-Mao remains with Las Vegas Raiders as Pete Carroll era begins; still more work at safety ahead
Remember: Both starting safeties for the Raiders last season are currently out of a contract. This means there’s more work to do at the position, although keeping Pola-Mao around is certainly a good start.
It’s unlikely Marcus Epps will be suiting up for Sin City once the ’25 NFL season rolls around, but Tre’von Moehrig sticking around seems paramount.
Moehrig, a second-round pick by the Raiders in the 2021 NFL Draft, has been a true pillar of Las Vegas’ defense since his first year in the league. He’s led the Silver and Black in pass-breakup percentage on two occasions, recording a percentage of at least 17% three times.
For reference, Moehrig is the only player to play for the Raiders at any point since 2021 to record a pass-breakup percentage of at least 17% more than once.
2024 was the only year the TCU alum didn’t achieve this feat.
In any event, Moehrig’s elite play against the run more than made up for his dip in pass-breakups this past season. With a grade of 87.5 against the run, the 25-year-old safety posted the sixth-highest grade among all players league-wide at his position.
Add in the two sacks Moehrig was involved in during his ’24 campaign, combining for one full sack, and it’s more than fair to say it was a good season for the fourth-year defensive back.
Expect Spytek to [try to] keep the former Jim Thorpe Award winner around during the Pete Carroll era as well.
