Last year, after four years holding training camp in the sweltering heat of Las Vegas during the hottest part of the year, the Raiders pulled up stakes and headed for the coast. New GM Tom Telesco and head coach Antonio Pierce agreed cool ocean breezes in Costa Mesa were much more conducive to the team being able to properly prepare for the season.
When the announcement was made, I asked Telesco if the move to Costa Mesa was a multi-year thing. He said no, that it was a one-year and then we’ll see situation. But it was clear that getting away from Vegas for camp was the plan moving forward, thus leaving the possibility of a return to Napa a very real one.
Well, today new head coach Pete Carroll seems to have let the cat out the bag. The Northern California native appeared on SirusXM radio and said the Raiders will be returning to Napa where they had held training camp since the team returning to Oakland in the mid-90s.
Reports say the move isn’t official just yet, but that is the Raiders plan.
Don’t think it’s been finalized quite yet.
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) February 25, 2025
This is a great thing for the Raiders whose training camp setup in Napa was the envy of the league. It also extends an olive branch to the Bay Area fan base, many of whom have remained loyal despite the team leaving for Vegas after the 2019 season.