Several questions regarding the Las Vegas Raiders and their future will soon need answers, and here are the two biggest.
The Las Vegas Raiders have a chance to overcome their postseason dry spell this weekend. The team made the playoffs in 2016, but quarterback Derek Carr was injured before they began, derailing what might’ve been a special campaign. Other than that season, you’d have to rewind the tape back to the Raiders’ ill-fated Super Bowl trip in January of 2003 as the last postseason appearance.
Despite all of that, playoffs being a possibility if the team can overcome the Los Angeles Chargers, questions are looming for this organization.
Let’s face it; this has been one of the most tumultuous seasons in this organization’s history. By now, we’re all familiar with the scandals that rocked this team to its core. Losing your head coach would’ve derailed most teams’ campaigns. That’s especially true considering the loss of leadership and direction associated with Jon Gruden.
Whether you liked him or not, he was “the end all, be all” for this team.
The disaster surrounding Gruden’s e-mails was further exacerbated when Henry Ruggs III had a true lapse in judgment when he decided to get behind a car while inebriated. Not only did he kill much of the team’s offensive momentum, but more importantly, he ended his career and that of an innocent person.
These tragedies aside, the NFL is still a business first and foremost. The Raiders aren’t excluded from this truth, and while the playoffs are within reach, there are several concerns with this team. Owner Mark Davis will need to answer these concerns sooner rather than later, and who knows, if certain rumors are true, he might already be at work.
Las Vegas Raiders: Biggest questions that need answers this offseason
Should Mike Mayock return as the Raiders’ general manager?
The biggest question dominating headlines right now is regarding the head coach position. In reality, the biggest concern for the Raiders should be the future of Mayock. Formerly an NFL Network analyst, Mayock has done what could be seen as a questionable job for Las Vegas. The real problem when evaluating Mayock was his attachment to Gruden. We can all argue and share conjecture about who really was calling the shots, but at the end of the day, Mayock had his input. Was he truly responsible for striking out on so many first-round choices?
Let’s say the Raiders make the playoffs. Can Davis trust Mayock to have a “home run” draft class in 2022, helping the team get over the hump? Or, let’s say the team was a one-and-done in the postseason. How close are they really and can he be trusted with a possible total rebuild?
On the other hand, let’s give credit where it’s due. The organization did a fine job this past offseason when it came to free agency. This was especially true on defense, where several key veterans were added that helped lead to the unit’s turnaround in 2021. Maybe another year with this coaching staff aided by Mayock’s maneuvering is what’s needed in 2022? Speaking of which…
Las Vegas Raiders: Biggest questions that need answers this offseason
Who’s going to be the next head coach?
When Gruden resigned, naturally, we all knew the Raiders would soon need a long-term replacement. Luckily for the Silver and Black, Gruden’s staff had several men who were former head coaches, but the task of keeping the Raiders alive fell to Rich Bisaccia.
The love/hate relationship between Raider Nation and Bisaccia has been well-documented. At times, he was the underdog that everyone could root for, a player’s coach doing God’s work. Sadly, at other times, he’s been called “incompetent” and “over his head” when it comes to actual on-field leadership and time clock management.
The team seemed fine when he first took over, but this was quickly overshadowed once the team’s struggles became evident. Whether it was an uninspiring team effort or horrid offensive playcalling (which is Greg Olson’s responsibility), Bisaccia was definitely getting the short stick, his fault or not.
However, fast forward to Week 18, and the Raiders are on the cusp of making the playoffs. Does Bisaccia deserve credit? Of course, he does. He’s rallied this team despite everything that has happened, and more importantly, he’s been selfless about it. The man just does his job and goes about his business. Unfortunately, the possibility exists that he may be in a “lame duck” position. There have been several rumors regarding Jim Harbaugh and a possible exit from Michigan.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers: 3 things to watch in Week 18
The Las Vegas Raiders take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18, and here are three things to keep an eye on in this crucial AFC West battle.
Would Harbaugh be an upgrade over Bisaccia? Most definitely. The distraction that has now arisen from this situation, however, could have a negative effect. Maybe this offseason question has already been answered, but we’ll have to wait and see.