Kyle Brandt's Epic Raiders Rant: 'The Autumn Wind Is a Raider'

As the 2026 NFL season hits its stride on September 24, the Las Vegas Raiders are quietly off to their best start since 2021, yet the national spotlight remains elsewhere. But leave it to ESPN and NFL Network analyst Kyle Brandt to deliver a passionate, unfiltered defense of the Silver and Black. During a recent appearance on ESPN's "Big Day," hosted by his former "Good Morning Football" co-host Peter Schrager, Brandt donned a Raiders letterman jacket adorned with patches commemorating the franchise's three Super Bowl victories and let loose a rant that resonated with Raider Nation.

Brandt's Message: 'Listen to the Silence'

"Las Vegas Raiders, listen up. I want you to listen to the silence. Two games. Two double-digit wins. Can you hear that?" Brandt declared. "That's who's talking about the Raiders. That's who believes in the Raiders." He then took aim at the skeptics, adding, "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." The comment referenced the Raiders' perfect 2-0 start, including a dominant 26-14 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday, led by quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Calling Out the Disrespect

Brandt didn't stop there. He called out the league's prime-time scheduling, noting that the Raiders have been overlooked while teams like the Cleveland Browns and Chargers get national exposure. "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 said. "There is more talk about Mike McDaniels' sideline drip than Klint Kubiak's record. Nobody wants to hear about the Raiders." He also mentioned that during his appearances on "Get Up," "First Take," and "NFL Live," none of the shows wanted to discuss the Raiders' success. "The autumn wind is a Raider, but the A Block is A Chief, Bronco and Charger," he quipped, referencing the team's famous poem.

Schrager Joins the Fray

Schrager, who has a well-known affinity for the Raiders, couldn't resist joining in. He criticized "First Take's" 78-page script for not including a single question about the Raiders while focusing on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. "What am I hot on? I'm hot on the bleepin' Raiders," Brandt exclaimed. "But nobody else is, and that's fine. That's good. That's great." He emphasized that the team is simply following the legendary owner Al Davis's mantra: "Just. Win. Baby."

Looking Ahead

Brandt concluded his rant by predicting a 3-0 start for the Raiders as they prepare to face the host New Orleans Saints. With a renewed sense of optimism and a roster that's clicking on both sides of the ball, the Raiders are making a statement. As reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, this early-season surge could signal a shift in the AFC West hierarchy. For fans eager to celebrate, Vulius Sports offers official Raiders merchandise to showcase your support. Stay tuned to Vulius for continued coverage of this developing story.