The 2021 Las Vegas Raiders have a lot of work to do in terms of the defense, as it was once again one of the worst in the league last season. Between giving up first downs in tough third-down situations, allowing teams to beat them over the top late in games, and blowing so many leads, the defense will have to start from scratch this season.
Luckily the group is getting a fresh start at defensive coordinator, as Jon Gruden brought back an old friend in Gus Bradley this offseason. Bradley coached with Gruden during their time in Tampa Bay, and the hope is that the defense can thrive now that Paul Guenther has been fired, and Bradley had brought in some new faces on the coaching staff.
There is some quality talent to work with based on the current roster in Las Vegas, as the team has invested a ton of free agency money and draft picks on that side of the ball. Over the last two NFL Drafts, they have added three first-round picks, and a second-round pick to the defense, so it will be up to Bradley to finally turn this thing around defensively.
Working with a new team is going to take time, but Bradley has a solid track record in the NFL, and these three members of the Raiders’ defense should be ecstatic that he is now their defensive coordinator.