The Las Vegas Raiders have made a bold move by appointing Travis Smith as their new defensive line coach, sparking excitement and curiosity among fans. But who is this man tasked with fortifying the Raiders' defense?
A Proven Track Record
Smith brings a wealth of experience to the Raiders, having honed his coaching skills across various NFL teams. Most recently, he served as the defensive run game coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in 2025, where he played a pivotal role in DT Jeffery Simmons' outstanding season, earning Simmons his fourth Pro Bowl honors. Simmons dominated the league's interior defensive linemen rankings, leading in solo tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, sack yards, quarterback pressures, pressure rate, and forced fumbles.
But here's where it gets interesting: Smith's coaching prowess extends beyond just one season. In 2024, as the defensive line coach for the Chicago Bears, he guided the team to a 16th-place finish in sacks, with 16 players contributing to the tally. The Bears' defense shone in 2023, allowing the second-fewest rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, and ranking fifth in yards per carry. Defensive end Montez Sweat thrived under Smith's mentorship, earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
Returning to the Raiders
Smith is no stranger to the Raiders organization. He spent a decade (2012-2021) with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, wearing multiple hats. He served as an assistant defensive line coach, defensive quality control coach, outside linebackers coach, and defensive assistant during his tenure. In 2021, he mentored defensive end Maxx Crosby, who earned his first Pro Bowl honors, and Yannick Ngakoue, who led the team in sacks. Smith's ability to develop young talent was evident in 2019 when he guided rookie defensive ends Crosby and Clelin Ferrell to a combined 14.5 sacks, a remarkable achievement for any rookie class.
And this is the part most people miss—Smith's impact on the Raiders dates back even further. In 2017, he led the outside linebackers, with Khalil Mack as the standout performer, earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection. Smith's mentorship of Mack began in 2016, coaching him to his second Pro Bowl and first Defensive Player of the Year award. Mack's eight-game sack streak and three consecutive strip sacks during that season were a testament to Smith's coaching prowess.
Smith's coaching journey began in the collegiate ranks, where he worked as an offensive technical intern and an undergraduate assistant coach. But it's his time with the Raiders that has truly shaped his career. The Raiders are bringing back a familiar face, and fans are eager to see how Smith's expertise will impact the team's defensive line. Will he be able to replicate his past successes and lead the Raiders to new heights? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Raiders' defense is in for an exciting transformation.
