HENDERSON (Nev.) -- Jon Gruden has resigned as the coach of the Las Vegas Raiders after four seasons of a $100 million 10-year contract.
Five games into the 2021 season, the shocking news is that the team, which began 3-0, has been on a losing streak of two games heading to Denver. Are you still having questions? Questions? We have the answers.
Why is Rich Bisaccia an interim coach and not Gus Bradley or Tom Cable
Technically, Bisaccia was technically the associate head coach. He is also one of the most revered special teams coaches in the league, if not the best. He commands the locker room like none other. His loud voice is a powerful presence on the field. Bradley needs to remain focused on the defense. The defense has seen tremendous improvement in the first year of his tenure as defensive coordinator. Why mess with something that has been a success? Let him be.
Cable has head coaching experience with the Raiders, but Cable is now faced with an offensive line that is constantly evolving and reinvented. Greg Olson should be your main playcaller, but he was more of a QB coach than an offensive coordinator under Gruden.
Who should be included on the shortlist of head coaches?
Mark Davis should keep Eric Bienemy, Kansas City Chiefs' offensive coordinator, on his speed dial for more than one reason. The Raiders would be able to hire an offensive coordinator from another division rival. This would be a sign that they are serious about their commitment to diversity. This is especially true in light of Gruden's emails that contained racial and anti-gay messages.
Keep an eye out for Stanford coach David Shaw who was a Raiders staffer between 1998 and 2001 under Gruden. They should be considered if the Raiders make a run under Bisaccia or if Olson calls the plays. When it comes to the one franchise Davis knows, Davis loves tradition and history.
Play 0:44 McFarland: Jon Gruden and the Raiders parted ways: Booger McFarland shares thoughts about the reports Jon Gruden has been named the Las Vegas Raiders head coach.
What does Gruden's departure cost the franchise?
What about a lot? After all, he did sign a 10-year contract when he was first hired. Gruden was hired following what Davis called a seven-year dance and had, up until this week, the highest job security in the NFL. Gruden's return to the sidelines was made possible by Gruden's move to Las Vegas.
Gruden's face was prominently displayed on billboards in the city as Allegiant Stadium was built to attract potential season-ticket holders. Although the stadium is located at the corner of Al Davis Way & Dean Martin Drive, the franchise is at a crossroads. Gruden has resigned and it is now unclear if the Raiders will be responsible for the $60-plus million remaining on his contract.
What does this mean for Derek Carr, the quarterback who had his best start in his career with three games?
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Gruden altered his exaggerated coaching style to better suit Carr's sensitive sensibilities upon his return to Raiders in 2018. Gruden's relationship with Rich Gannon, a volatile but productive one at that, was it possible? Not even close.
Carr was in a difficult spot when Antonio Brown, wide receiver, blew up Raiders in 2019. It will be interesting to see his reaction with Gruden gone. Olson, his rookie OC for the Raiders in 2014, is a long-lasting relationship. Gruden's sudden departure could cause him to be more prominent and a face for the franchise, with more freedom on field. Or Carr will just play the string. Carr will no longer be a Raider with Gruden, his greatest defender in the building.
Is Mike Mayock allowed to take over player personnel management?
It would be hard to imagine anyone else. Gruden approved Mayock's appointment as general manager. Mayock acknowledged Gruden was the final judge on roster moves. Mayock is now the general manager, fair or unjustly, after many early draft misses. Clelin Ferrell was taken at No. In 2019, Mayock was 4th overall. He played 11 defensive snaps in Sunday’s loss to Chicago Bears. Mayock's legacy will be a major factor in Davis's future, and Davis may not have the guts to overhaul the front office. This is it again.
