Las Vegas Raiders oust GM Mike Mayock after 3 seasons
JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer
The Las Vegas Raiders have fired general manager Mike Mayock after three seasons and will begin a search for a coach and GM following their second playoff berth in the past 19 seasons.
The Raiders announced the move to get rid of Mayock on Monday, two days after losing their wild-card playoff game to Cincinnati 26-19.
“We thank Mike for his contributions over the last three years in helping to form the foundation for the franchise to build upon in its future,” the team said in a statement.
The Raiders have already made a request to interview Patriots director of player personnel Dave Ziegler for the general manager job, as well as Patriots assistant Jerod Mayo for head coach, according to a person familiar with the request. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team didn’t make the requests public.
Coach Jon Gruden brought Mayock in to replace Reggie McKenzie following the 2018 season, but the Raiders had spotty results in the draft and free agency in recent years.
Gruden resigned in October following the publication of his old offensive emails, and now Mayock is out as well, potentially giving owner Mark Davis a clean slate.
Interim coach Rich Bisaccia led the Raiders (10-8) to the playoffs with four straight wins to end the regular season, but his status going forward remains unknown. He has met with Davis and the Raiders must conduct a full search before deciding on a new coach to satisfy the Rooney Rule.
Mayock joined the Raiders after a long tenure as a draft analyst at NFL Network. While Gruden had final say on all personnel matters, Mayock held the title of general manager and had input on the draft in which the Raiders failed to hit on several first-round picks in his tenure.
The Raiders had three first-round picks in his first draft after trading away stars Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper. Those picks failed to transform the franchise with No. 4 overall pick Clelin Ferrell becoming a reserve this season, No. 24 pick Josh Jacobs becoming a solid running back and No. 27 pick Johnathan Abram being a liability in coverage at safety.
The team did hit on two later-round picks that draft with fourth-round edge rusher Maxx Crosby emerging as a star this year when he was a second-team All-Pro, and fifth-round slot receiver Hunter Renfrow having 103 catches for 1,038 yards.
But the 2020 draft may end up being what doomed Mayock. The team has already cut both first-round picks with receiver Henry Ruggs III getting released after being charged with felonies in a fatal DUI crash that killed a 23-year-old woman, and cornerback Damon Arnette getting released after making online threats to someone.
Two of the team’s third-round picks — Lynn Bowden Jr. and Tanner Muse — never played a snap and none of the picks made a big impact.
The Raiders once again drafted a player higher in the first round than the consensus in 2021, taking tackle Alex Leatherwood 17th overall. He flamed out quickly at tackle and then moved to guard, where he also struggled with penalties and pass protection.
Free agency hasn’t been much better, with big contracts going to players like Trent Brown, Lamarcus Joyner, Tyrell Williams and Cory Littleton failing to lead to good results.
Now it will be up to a new general manager to make the key decisions on the future of quarterback Derek Carr and how to upgrade the roster to make the Raiders a perennial playoff contender.
Super Bowl organizers say game is staying in Inglewood
Darron Cummings
Hamilton is a hybrid playmaker who combines the versatility of Isaiah Simmons with instincts that are reminiscent of Hall of Famer Ed Reed.
Darron Cummings
Hamilton is a hybrid playmaker who combines the versatility of Isaiah Simmons with instincts that are reminiscent of Hall of Famer Ed Reed.
Super Bowl organizers say game is staying in Inglewood
Stephen Brashear
Thibodeaux is a top-tier athlete who wins with speed and has shown surprising coverage versatility. His ceiling is massively high, but it might take a few years for his technique and toolbox to catch up to his talent.
Stephen Brashear
Thibodeaux is a top-tier athlete who wins with speed and has shown surprising coverage versatility. His ceiling is massively high, but it might take a few years for his technique and toolbox to catch up to his talent.
Super Bowl organizers say game is staying in Inglewood
Carlos Osorio
Hutchinson's season was shades of Chase Young's 2019 dominant campaign, culminating in him finishing second in the Heisman voting. He's a high-floor prospect who wins with technique and strength.
Carlos Osorio
Hutchinson's season was shades of Chase Young's 2019 dominant campaign, culminating in him finishing second in the Heisman voting. He's a high-floor prospect who wins with technique and strength.
Super Bowl organizers say game is staying in Inglewood
Marcio Jose Sanchez
Stingley features rare ball-tracking skills that make him a threat to take the ball away anytime it's in his vicinity. As an 18-year-old, he produced one of the most impressive true freshman seasons in college football history in 2019. Durability has been a concern ever since.
Marcio Jose Sanchez
Stingley features rare ball-tracking skills that make him a threat to take the ball away anytime it's in his vicinity. As an 18-year-old, he produced one of the most impressive true freshman seasons in college football history in 2019. Durability has been a concern ever since.
Super Bowl organizers say game is staying in Inglewood
Rebecca S. Gratz
Karlaftis has been one of the most consistent pass rushers in the nation during his three seasons in West Lafayette. His inside-outside versatility, overwhelming power and special athleticism could make him a star at the next level.
Rebecca S. Gratz
Karlaftis has been one of the most consistent pass rushers in the nation during his three seasons in West Lafayette. His inside-outside versatility, overwhelming power and special athleticism could make him a star at the next level.
Super Bowl organizers say game is staying in Inglewood
Karl B DeBlaker
Ekwonu was the most dominant run-blocking tackle in the country this season — it really wasn't close — and I envision him thriving at tackle or guard in the NFL.
Karl B DeBlaker
Ekwonu was the most dominant run-blocking tackle in the country this season — it really wasn't close — and I envision him thriving at tackle or guard in the NFL.
Super Bowl organizers say game is staying in Inglewood
Charlie Neibergall
The Rimington Trophy winner and unanimous All-American was a multisport athlete in high school who earned multiple letters in wrestling, track, baseball and football.
Charlie Neibergall
The Rimington Trophy winner and unanimous All-American was a multisport athlete in high school who earned multiple letters in wrestling, track, baseball and football.
Super Bowl organizers say game is staying in Inglewood
Jeff Dean
Gardner made it through the playoff loss to Alabama unscathed. He finished his collegiate career with 1,100-plus snaps with nine interceptions and zero touchdowns allowed.
Jeff Dean
Gardner made it through the playoff loss to Alabama unscathed. He finished his collegiate career with 1,100-plus snaps with nine interceptions and zero touchdowns allowed.
Super Bowl organizers say game is staying in Inglewood
John Raoux
Elam is a 6-foot-2 corner with elite ball skills who fine-tuned his technique after an underwhelming sophomore season. His game is built on speed and physicality, which you normally don't see in the same toolkit.
John Raoux
Elam is a 6-foot-2 corner with elite ball skills who fine-tuned his technique after an underwhelming sophomore season. His game is built on speed and physicality, which you normally don't see in the same toolkit.
Super Bowl organizers say game is staying in Inglewood
Al Goldis
Dotson features the game-breaking speed to beat defenses at all three levels and is good against press coverage despite his size (5-11, 185). He has very good hands and is a very capable blocker.
Al Goldis
Dotson features the game-breaking speed to beat defenses at all three levels and is good against press coverage despite his size (5-11, 185). He has very good hands and is a very capable blocker.
Super Bowl organizers say game is staying in Inglewood
Barry Reeger
The former five-star recruit needs to fine tune his tackling technique, but his combination of size (6-foot-3, 240 pounds), athleticism and coverage skills is impressive.
Barry Reeger
The former five-star recruit needs to fine tune his tackling technique, but his combination of size (6-foot-3, 240 pounds), athleticism and coverage skills is impressive.
Super Bowl organizers say game is staying in Inglewood
Charlie Neibergall
The two-time All-American has the size and skills — Hall is very capable in pass pro — to be a three-down back. His 800 collegiate touches will concern some scouts.
Charlie Neibergall
The two-time All-American has the size and skills — Hall is very capable in pass pro — to be a three-down back. His 800 collegiate touches will concern some scouts.
Super Bowl organizers say game is staying in Inglewood
Al Goldis
The former tight end turned tackle graded out as one of the best offensive lineman in the country, according to Pro Football Focus. Raimann allowed zero pressures over his last six games.
Al Goldis
The former tight end turned tackle graded out as one of the best offensive lineman in the country, according to Pro Football Focus. Raimann allowed zero pressures over his last six games.
Las Vegas Raiders oust GM Mike Mayock after 3 seasons
Rick Scuteri
FILE - Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock walks the sideline during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. On Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, the Las Vegas Raiders announced they have fired Mayock after three seasons and will begin a search for a coach and GM following their second playoff berth in the past 19 seasons. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Rick Scuteri
FILE - Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock walks the sideline during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. On Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, the Las Vegas Raiders announced they have fired Mayock after three seasons and will begin a search for a coach and GM following their second playoff berth in the past 19 seasons. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
