The Oakland Raiders had a very busy offseason, adding big names like Antonio Brown, Trent Brown, Tyrell Williams, Lamarcus Joyner, and Vontaze Burfict to shore up both sides of the ball.

While not many are considering the Raiders a true contender in the deep AFC in spite of their improvements, running back Doug Martin thinks “there's something special” going on in Oakland right now:

“Special” is not a word that has generally been used to describe the Raiders over the last 17 years.

Since last making the Super Bowl during the 2002-03 campaign, Oakland has made just one playoff appearance, which occurred in 2016-17 when the Raiders won 12 games and snagged a Wild Card berth.

This past year, Oakland went 4-12 in Jon Gruden's first season at the helm, with Gruden trading away crucial pieces such as Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper to facilitate a Raiders rebuild.

Article Continues Below
More Las Vegas Raiders News
Featured image Stanley Cup
Raiders’ Raheem Mostert still showing love for Panthers amid Stanley Cup FinalDylan Fine ·
Running back Ashton Jeanty slaps hands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected sixth overall by the Las Vegas Raiders during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Ashton Jeanty’s Raiders teammate drops ‘hype’ bombBenedetto Vitale ·
Featured image Pete Caroll
Raiders’ Pete Carroll has shocking change in coaching philosophyDylan Fine ·
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) enters the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders’ Jackson Powers-Johnson eyeing revenge on Cam HeywardJosh Davis ·
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs prior go a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby drops mic with ‘be delusional’ messageBen Strauss ·
Las Vegas Raiders first round draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft Ashton Jeanty, speaks to the media at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Raiders’ Chip Kelly reveals particular skill that separates Ashton JeantyZachary Weinberger ·

Now, Oakland is hoping to have vaulted itself back into playoff contention heading into 2019, and, at the very least, the Raiders should be quite a bit better than they were a year go.

Meanwhile, Martin is coming off of a 2018 campaign in which he rushed for 723 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 4.2 yards per carry in his first year with Oakland. The Raiders then decided to re-sign him earlier this offseason.

The 30-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Boise State, was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round (31st pick overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.

He spent his first six seasons with the Buccaneers, making a couple of Pro Bowls. However, for the most part, injuries derailed Martin during his time in Tampa Bay.