The Raiders were a big disappointment in 2020, fizzling down the stretch after a hot start. After going 6-3 through the first nine games, they went just 2-5 in the final seven to finish at an even .500. Jon Gruden has now had three years at the helm, and while he hasn’t made the playoffs yet, it doesn’t sound like his job will be in any real jeopardy anytime soon.
Speaking to Ed Graney of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, owner Mark Davis reiterated that he’s confident in Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock. “Absolutely,” Davis replied, when asked if he still thought he had the right leadership combo in place.
“In Year 1 with Jon, it was a deconstructive phase where he wanted to get things down to more salary cap control and really start building the team. We made a little progress in Year 2 but obviously not enough. Mike then came in and our drafting and player management (strategy) was a little different. I thought we made some progress there. We were really looking forward to this inaugural season in Las Vegas — our new practice facility and everything else. All the things we dreamed of were coming true.”
Davis went on to say that COVID-19 derailed things, and that “it’s really hard to put any kind of grade on the season, except to say we didn’t get to where we expected to be. But yes, I’m happy with (the leadership).” Davis reportedly gave Gruden a ten-year contract to lure him out of the broadcast booth in 2018, and it sounds like he’s intent on seeing the duration of that deal out.
Gruden’s record isn’t entirely fair to lump all on him, as he’s done a commendable job with the offense, getting Derek Carr to have by far his two most efficient seasons in the NFL the last two years. The defense has been a train-wreck though, which culminated in the firing of defensive coordinator Paul Guenther late in the year.
That DC search will now be critical for 2021, and we’ve heard them linked to Gus Bradley and a couple of other names. As for that search, Davis said “I’m involved in the interviews in a small way, but my philosophy is one thing I know is what I don’t know. And I’m going to let the guys I hired do their jobs. It’s up to Mike and Jon to determine who the person is that they feel will do the best job for the Raiders. I’ll play devil’s advocate with them and question them, but the final decision is their choice.”
Who knew bad haircuts were the secret to having confidence?
Zero confidence in either of them. They missed on 4/5 first round picks in the last two drafts. And the only hit was a RB.
I’m not ready to say they missed on the 20 class. Ruggs showed signs. 19 the obvious miss is Ferrell especially after watching Burns and Sweat improve a lot this year. Abrams is definitely not a miss.
Abram has upside but he graded mediocre. 2 years in that doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt.
He missed his whole first season with an injury. Relax, look at win totals in 3 years, this is most depth on both sides of the ball in a long time. Defense has been the biggest issue for sure
Gruden is a much better name than he is coach, and Mayock has made a ton of head scratching picks since he took over. It’s pretty much that simple.
I can respect that their draft board is different than other teams, but aside from the Seahawks, there’s not a team out there that’s made so many picks that just came out of left field. The Clelin Ferrell pick has looked terrible, and it’s fair to say that standing out doesn’t necessarily make you smart.
He might be the only person who is confident in them.
Gruden is afraid to put his name on a QB. While broadcasting, he loved 90% of the QB’s entering the draft. Now, 3 years later as a coach, can’t find 1 QB to draft?
Why does he need a QB? Because Carr isn’t popular with Internet commenters, or because of actual statistics that you have to disprove that?
I have nothing against Carr. My first comment doesn’t even mention him. Jon is afraid to put his name on his own QB, so for 3 years we have heard about the ‘friction between HC & QB’ why draft your own QB?
Carr gets a ton of hate but has had a qbr over 100 last 2 seasons…. career 96 qbr. Again carr isn’t the problem defensively there is
Jon Gruden is the problem. The only significant thing the Raiders have in 3 years is move to LA.
move to LV not LA
He loved Trubisky what does that tell you ????
When your weakest link is your owner, there is little hope for success. Been a Raider fan for over 50 years. I am not optimistic with this ownership, front office and the coaches. Terrible decisions over and over from the owner and the same applies to personnel decisions from Gruden and Mayock.
Is anyone confident in Mark Davis? What a joke of an owner.
I’m confident in Mark Davis. The dude doesn’t meddle in things he doesn’t know about, is fine with spending and secured the most team friendly stadium deal in recent history. He’s a much smarter man that his haircut gives him credit for
They didn’t do that badly. If Raiders has a better defense, they would certainly have a winning record and would have been the only team to have swept Kansas City since Manning was in the AFC West. The defense needs help at pass rusher and corner most, and a solid coordinator. If that’s done, the Raiders very easily could be in the playoffs next year, even if the offense does not improve at all.
This year, they found their long-term number two receiver, Darren Waller solidified his status as the league’s best receiving tight end, and Jonathan Abram showed his ability to set the tone for 16 games. All of those players will be long-term contributors, in addition to Crosby, Renfrow, and Jacobs. The team has a lot of positives going forward, even as they have a lot to improve. But it’s certainly not time to can Gruden or Mayock, seeing as they’ve made progress in the two years that they’ve been together.
I know the Raiders and Gruden are easy targets, but let’s at least be realistic and admit that they are not a complete loss.
We have to remember changing a culture like the Raiders had – structure, system, players – well it takes time. Gruden and Mayock are absolutely the best men for their jobs…
I’m not sure where all this hate is coming from. The raiders were in a bad place before they took over and while obv all the picks and personnel moves haven’t panned out, nobodies always does.
They’ve improved every year and are the only team to beat the chiefs in their last 25 games and outscored them over the course of the 2 games.
Stop acting like this has been a dumpster fire, it clearly hasn’t. The second half of the season was disappointing but no reason to clear house.
He is not confident in them but he is confident he is stuck with that ten year contract he gave Gruden!
Gruden has shown the ability to do only one thing as the Raider’s head coach – gain weight. He’ll soon rival Andy Reid as the fattest coach in football.
He also showed the ability to sweep the Broncos this year
He also kept the Chiefs from going undefeated. If the Raiders don’t beat them, then KC surely would’ve beaten the Chargers in the last game.
It’s the sad part of the season. We should’ve beaten the Chiefs twice, we beat the Browns and NO, should’ve beaten Miami, but then disappeared against poor to middling teams.
I’m still on the fence on Gruden. He literally snatched defeat from the jaws of victory v Miami.
But he also should’ve fired Guenther earlier, and maybe Marinelli. The defense has talent, imvho, but have no idea of how and where to play.
Team still has too many holes. Probably gonna need a QB change too despite how good Carr has often played.