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Calico Jack: Why the Oakland Raiders Should Extend Del Rio

By Daniel Carrigy

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio celebrates as he leaves the field following a win against the New Orleans Saints in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio celebrates as he leaves the field following a win against the New Orleans Saints in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio signals for a touchdown during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio signals for a touchdown during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

With reports that the Oakland Raiders and Jack Del Rio will soon negotiate a contract extension, the franchise getting this deal done early is the right decision.

With the NFL playoffs spiraling towards what is sure to be a thrilling Super Bowl, fans of the 30 teams whose seasons are over can look forward to the 6th annual NFL Honors award show on February 4th. It bodes as an enjoyable silver lining to cap off seasons that might have been for many. For fans of the Oakland Raiders, this years awards should bring more excitement than usual, as the Raiders could be in store for multiple awards come Super Bowl Eve.

Khalil Mack is in close contention for Defensive Player of the Year alongside Denver counterpart Von Miller. Derek Carr is also a dark horse MVP candidate. Unfortunately for Derek, the voting deadline was before the wildcard matchup with Houston, a contest that brutally underscored his significance as a player and leader to the Raiders. That said, thanks to analyst Adam Schein, we know Derek has received at least one vote.

Another award that the Raiders are in contention to bring home is for Coach of the Year. After a thrilling year that saw the Raiders return to the postseason for the first time in 14 years, Del Rio has certainly garnered attention as a strong candidate for the award. Del Rio is in line with some stiff (albeit, respectable) competition from the likes of Jason Garret and Dan Quinn, the former enjoying a “triplets” renaissance of sorts in Dallas whilst the latter has steered the Falcons to home field advantage in the NFC championship.

It’s this recognition that should form the bedrock of the argument as to why the Raiders should hand coach Jack Del Rio a well deserved extension. Del Rio has been instrumental in guiding the Raiders back to the playoffs, and his exciting brand of leadership and elevation of the locker room maturity is reflective of a coach who knows how to get the very best out of his men.

Del Rio’s contention itself speaks volumes about not only his efforts this past season, but the respect he commands around the league. Even with the likes of John Madden, Tom Flores and Jon Gruden at the forefront, the Raiders have never had a coach win the AP Coach of the Year award in the league’s history.

Del Rio could well be the first. And with news that the team will soon be in talks to extend his deal, here is why getting the extension done early is the right move.

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