When Kolton Miller skipped the start of the Las Vegas Raiders’ voluntary offseason program, it raised eyebrows—but not alarms. Entering the final year of his contract and coming off shoulder surgery, the veteran left tackle appeared to be making a calculated, if quiet, statement about his future.
Now back on the field through OTAs and present for this week’s mandatory minicamp, Miller made his intentions clear.
“I want to be a Raider for life,” he told reporters Tuesday. “I love it here. I don’t want to go anywhere else. I only know one way to do it, and that’s showing up and getting better each day.”
Kolton Miller Returns To Las Vegas Raiders, Embraces Leadership Role Amid Contract Uncertainty
The soft-spoken cornerstone of the Raiders’ offensive line has spent the last seven seasons anchoring the left side, navigating coaching turnover, roster churn, and shifting expectations—all without much fanfare. Drafted 15th overall in 2018, Miller was once seen as a reach. But after 109 games and 107 starts, he’s proven to be one of the team’s most reliable players—and arguably its most consistent.
His 2023 season was disrupted by a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery, limiting him to a career-low 13 games. Early in 2024, he looked shaky, surrendering five sacks in the first two weeks, per Pro Football Focus. But he quickly rebounded, allowing just two sacks the rest of the season and finishing with an 80.6 PFF grade—13th among all NFL tackles, and his fourth straight season above 80.
Still, entering his age-30 season with no guaranteed money remaining on his deal, Miller’s future in Las Vegas is far from settled. He’s set to earn $12.2 million in base salary, currently the 11th-highest among left tackles, while the top of the market has surged north of $22 million annually with $50 million or more in guarantees.
First-year general manager John Spytek has declined to publicly discuss Miller’s contract situation. “We’re not going to discuss contracts publicly,” Spytek said in April. “This is a voluntary part of the offseason program. Guys are free to come and go as they please.”
Miller did, in fact, go—for a while. But now that he’s back, he’s all in.
“This is probably one of the most productive OTAs I’ve been a part of,” Miller said. “The direction the organization is going with Pete [Carroll]—he’s preaching competition. We’ve got to make everyone better, including the young guys. I’m going to continue doing what I’m doing and lead the guys.”
Leadership has never been a question with Miller. Even without a new deal, he’s taken on a mentor role for a retooled line that includes rookie Charles Grant Jr., a third-round pick who isn’t expected to challenge Miller for the job anytime soon. The Raiders know what they have in Miller—durability, consistency, and professionalism—even if they haven’t yet decided whether to invest long term.
There’s still time for an extension before Miller hits the open market next spring. The Raiders have more than $36 million in cap space and no obvious replacement in waiting. Still, it’s possible the new regime wants to see if Miller can return to full form in 2025 before committing financially, a risk-reward calculation similar to what they took with Robert Spillane, Nate Hobbs, and Tre’von Moehrig—productive players who walked in free agency after solid contract years.
For now, Miller is betting on himself.
“I feel great,” he said with a smile. “Last year, I think I had maybe two or three training camp practices heading into the season. I like where I’m at right now.”
And if he delivers another quietly excellent season, the Raiders may have no choice but to pay up. In a league where dependable left tackles are rare and essential, Miller has done everything but ask for it directly.
He doesn’t need to. His play usually speaks loud enough.