You can’t blame Mark Davis for trying.
In order to restore the Raiders to the glory days fading ever further in the rearview mirror, the team owner has sought to surround himself with winners. Tom Brady, famously, is on board with a minority ownership stake and heavy influence in football operations. Under Brady’s guidance, the team imported a former Super Bowl winner, Pete Carroll, at head coach and recent Pro Bowler, Geno Smith, at quarterback. The Raiders’ offense this season not only featured Smith but also one of the most well-known play-callers in the sport in coordinator Chip Kelly, a 1,000-yard receiver in Jakobi Meyers, a top-10 pick and Heisman Trophy runner-up at running back in Ashton Jeanty, and one of the best young tight ends in the league in Brock Bowers. The defense had issues but also featured arguably the best pass-rusher in the sport in Maxx Crosby.
There was plenty of reason for Raiders fans to hope. Instead, the team is headed for another misrable finish that could have Davis going back to the drawing board yet again. Our Mike Silver takes a deep dive into yet another lost season in Las Vegas.