Oakland Raiders general manager Mike Mayock told ESPN’s Steve Levy that Jon Gruden has final say, and that he has zero problems with that.
The Oakland Raiders hired Mike Mayock to be their general manager last week, and with the hire, came the questions as to whether or not he, and head coach Jon Gruden could co-exist together. Both men are outspoken when it comes to their opinions, and in Gruden, Mayock is inheriting a head coach who not only is signed on a guaranteed $100 million dollar deal, but also a guy that wields major power in the organization.
Speaking with Steve Levy of ESPN prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Mayock stated that Gruden has the final say, and he has zero problems with it. However, he is going to fight for his choices, which is what you want to hear from a general manager who is making his debut in the role this year.
Mayock has a solid reputation in the league, as he was a former safety for the New York Giants, and is not a guy who is going to roll over and allow Gruden to do what he wants. He is an incredible football mind, and you have to think that the Raiders are going to be in good hands over the next couple of NFL Drafts.
Oakland holds six of the first 100 selections in the 2019 NFL Draft, and with so many NFL talents on the field on Monday night, Mayock was seen stalking the sidelines. This is a huge draft for the Raiders organization, and the fact that they have a former draft analyst in the general manager role is a great sign that the Raiders will make the right choices in April.
Alabama and Clemson are clearly the best two teams in college football this season, and have the potential to be well-represented in the first round in 2019. Oakland possesses three of the 32 first round selections as of right now, and there is a great chance at least one of these players are going to be wearing the Silver and Black next season.