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Was the new Raiders regime OK with losing in 2022 all along?

By Keith Ricci

HENDERSON, NEVADA - JULY 27: (L-R) Owner and managing general partner Mark Davis, head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler of the Las Vegas Raiders talk during the team's first fully padded practice during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 27, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
HENDERSON, NEVADA - JULY 27: (L-R) Owner and managing general partner Mark Davis, head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler of the Las Vegas Raiders talk during the team's first fully padded practice during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 27, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 02: General manager Dave Ziegler (L) and head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders embrace after the team’s 32-23 victory over the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 02: General manager Dave Ziegler (L) and head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders embrace after the team’s 32-23 victory over the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders 2022 season was always going to be a transition year

Not a ‘rebuild’

Teams hate the word “rebuilding” – especially a playoff team in a new city with a brand-new stadium that just acquired the best wide receiver in the NFL. So they were never going to admit this was a rebuild. And again, I don’t think they plan to rebuild everything.

I think it’s more of a transition gone way too slowly. And that this entire time they were totally fine with the 2022 season being a disaster and using it to set the table for a 2023 run.

According to sportswriter Bill Plaschke this week, Mark Davis ‘does not have the money’ to fire Josh McDaniels. I’ve always found this narrative about a team worth $5.1B to be lazy. Especially considering these payments aren’t typically required in one immediate sum.

I also don’t think that’s the reason he hasn’t fired him – a better coach results in better finances long-term. But if cash flow is indeed an issue like many media members have said over the years, then that only further proves the fact that Davis knew in January that he was committing to a multi-year process and McDaniels/Ziegler are well-aware that time is on their side and they’ve always known their jobs are not dependent on winning in 2022.

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