It has been some crazy years for the Las Vegas Raiders. From 2018 to 2021, the team built a foundation that slowly, step by step, got its juice and wheels turning and burning. The leadership from GM Mike Mayock and HC Jon Gruden brought some much-needed stability to the team and organization. And then, the unthinkable happened.
The Henry Ruggs incident and firing/dismissal of HC Jon Gruden felt like a gut punch to every Raiders fan. When we all thought the team was going to implode, the exact opposite happened. The team became tighter with each other, and Interim Head Coach Rich Bisaccia led the Raiders to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth.
For the second time in 18 years, the Raiders would clinch a playoff spot but will lose its match against the Cincinnati Bengals to a score of 26-19. After a mentally and emotionally tough year for the Raiders, the organization dismissed all its coaches and GM Mike Mayock. A new rebuilding year and regime is upon us.
Teams have tried the delicious fruit from the Belichick tree many times over the past 20 years. And, who wouldn’t bite? During that period, the New England Patriots would win 6 Super Bowls. It seemed like that coaching staff could bring the same energy and winning culture to any football organization.
The year is 2022, and the Las Vegas Raiders decided to try a taste of the fruit with new head coach Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler. They thought it would bring a new culture of competition and winning to the team and stability to the organization. But let’s just say it didn’t go as planned.
It went exactly like all the other times a Patriots coach has tried a Head Coaching gig: with a losing record and fired. After a 9-16 record, Both McDaniels and Ziegler were fired from their jobs and kicked out to the Las Vegas Strip to find new homes—another fruit that rots during the process.
Here comes another year of firing a Head Coach mid-season and not knowing where the team is headed. Owner Mark Davis took a bold approach and gave Antonio Pierce, the Linebackers coach, a chance to be the Interim HC. And it worked, at first.
Pierce led the Raiders during the second half of the 2023 season to an 8-9 record. Its highlights were beating the Chargers 63-21, which would become the highest-scoring game in the history of the Raiders. And that includes both times in Oakland and Los Angeles. The Chiefs on Christmas day and then the Broncos on the last game of the season.
It felt like we were back. Finally, what all Raiders fans have wanted and yearned for so long. A team that would become a bully and would knock you ´round and upside down, and laugh when he’s conquered and won. But of course, reality would soon hit us again square at the jawline.
After one full season and a 4-13 record, the Raiders fired Head Coach Antonio Pierce and General Manager Tom Telesco. Although, Telesco had some great picks with Tight End Brock Bowers and Guard/Center Jackson Powers-Johnson.
And so, here we are. A new leadership and regime with owner Tom Brady, Head Coach Pete Carroll, and General Manager John Spytek. And yes, you read that right. Raiders owner, Tom Brady. Can you believe that? Now, that’s how you know that life does have a sense of humor.
This is going to become a foundational year for the Las Vegas Raiders. New Head Coach Pete Carroll will print and repeat (pun intended) his philosophy to his new team and make it compete (pun intended, again). New GM John Spytek has the 2025 Draft in his hands and will look to bring young talent and free agents in the upcoming weeks and months.
And Tom Brady, the new Raiders owner, the perfect fruit from the Belichick tree, will try to win another Super Bowl. Or was Bill Belichick the perfect coach for the beautiful tree of Tom Brady? I guess we’re about to find out, as our Captain Brady now embarks on his new ship in search of his 8th treasure chest.
Oh yes, it has been some crazy years for The Las Vegas Raiders. But then again, aren’t we all used to it by now? Let’s wish not anymore with this new leadership.
