Eric Stokes bet on himself and earned the extension he set out to claim

Mar 09, 2026 at 03:28 PM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

Before the Raiders' 2025 season finale, Eric Stokes proclaimed that his top priority on the field was "reminding them who the f– I am."

He delivered on that promise over the course of a one-year "prove it" deal. That resurgence ultimately positioned him to earn the first contract extension of his NFL career, proof that the reminder landed exactly as he intended.

A former first-round pick by the Packers, injury-plagued seasons led him to free agency in 2025, where he eventually joined the Silver and Black. He quickly assumed the role as the team's top outside cornerback, holding opposing quarterbacks to a 56.7 completion percentage and 9.7 yards per completion. He also tacked on five pass deflections – his best marks since 2021.

As Stokes arrived to Raiders headquarters Monday morning to re-sign with the team, he reflected on the ambitious remarks he previously made.

With a big grin and roaring laugh, he believes he's on the right path to accomplishing his mission.

"Last year definitely put my name back out there and I [went] ahead and showed them I'm one of them ones at corner," he said. "And this year I'm going to have to follow it up, go ahead and double it. Go ahead and make sure everybody knows this isn't [a] one-year fluke. I'm here."

We have re-signed Eric Stokes.

📰 https://t.co/5R6eKMiews pic.twitter.com/4obTjzFiT3
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) March 9, 2026

At the end of the regular season, John Spytek admitted one of his biggest regrets from his first season as general manager was allowing an influx of talent inside the building to test free agency and showcase their talents elsewhere. At the NFL Combine, Spytek said he was working on completing a deal with Stokes, which has now coming to fruition.

"I thought he played well this year," Spytek said. "He was healthy, which has been something in the past that's kind of nipped him in the butt a little bit. But he played 16 of the games this year and super happy with him. He competed. He did what I knew he was capable of when I evaluated the player coming out."

The good faith Spytek and the Raiders organization had in Stokes was an obvious selling point in his desire to stay in Southern Nevada.

"Just being around the people, being around of course Spy [Spytek] is just great vibes," the cornerback said. "There's great people that I know for a fact I can trust. They gave me an opportunity last year to just show what I could do. And then pretty much after that, I just wanted to go ahead and make sure I'm going to stay here. I love it here."

"Another main reason why I wanted to come back here – with a guy like Rob Leonard, I know for a fact he could put in the work," Stokes said. Leonard was promoted from defensive line coach to defensive coordinator last month.

"He can do everything. He don't want to lose and a guy like that I'll fight for. ... I'll do a lot for [him] out there for because I know for a fact he's doing the same for me behind closed doors."

A new contract warranted a celebration with his personal "clique." Standing by the cornerback's side as he signed were his mother and two sisters.

"Without them, I wouldn't be the man I am today, the person I am today," he said. "Y'all wouldn't even know who I am if it weren't for them.

"This is a feeling I'll never forget. It's a feeling you chase for again and again and again. I can only imagine right after this, it's right back to work because I'm just ready to go ahead and get better."

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