General Manager Mike Mayock was an elite hire by the Raiders franchise

General Manager Mike Mayock was an elite hire by the Raiders franchise

Changing the Culture

Another way Mayock has improved the Raiders franchise has been by changing the culture, and the attitude within the team. Jon Gruden famously said that players were “dying to play for the Raiders,” and based on the additions the team has made in free agency, he certainly appears to be right.

Mayock is also taking a no-nonsense approach to players not giving everything they have to their craft, and the franchise. Guys that come in out of shape are being shipped out, and those who maybe could have made this roster due to a lack of depth in the past, are being released due to increased competition at all position groups.

This is no longer a franchise where if one guy goes down then there are serious issues, as he has made it a point to improve every position group, even areas where there are established leaders. Players are going to be pushed everyday, and that should lead to the franchise not only having a winning mentality, but putting a winning product on the field.

The expectation is that the Raiders will challenge for a playoff spot this season, and that this young, talented roster is set up to be a contender in the conference for years to come. Mayock was viewed as a questionable hire when the team brought him in, but as we look at what he has done through his first two offseasons, there could not have been a better hire to team with Gruden to rebuild this franchise.