Following their second postseason berth in 19 seasons, the Las Vegas Raiders have sacked general manager Mike Mayock after three seasons and will begin a search for a new coach and general manager.
On Monday, two days after losing their wild-card playoff game to Cincinnati 26-19, the Raiders revealed their decision to fire Mayock.
In a statement, the organization said, “We appreciate Mike for his services over the previous three years in helping to set the basis for the franchise to build upon in its future.”
According to a source familiar with the request, the Raiders have previously requested interviews with Patriots director of player personnel Dave Ziegler for general manager and Patriots assistant Jerod Mayo for head coach. Because the team didn’t make the demands public, the individual spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Coach Jon Gruden brought Mayock in after the 2018 season to replace Reggie McKenzie, but the Raiders have had mixed outcomes in the draft and free agency in previous years.
Following the disclosure of Gruden’s past inflammatory emails in October, Mayock has resigned as well, presumably providing owner Mark Davis a clean slate.
Rich Bisaccia, the Raiders’ interim coach, led the team to the playoffs with four straight wins to conclude the regular season, but his future position is undetermined. To comply with the Rooney Rule, he has met with Davis, and the Raiders must undertake a thorough search before naming a new coach.
Mayock joins the Raiders following a long career as an NFL Network draft commentator. While Gruden had final say on all personnel decisions, Mayock served as general manager and had involvement on the draft, during which the Raiders missed on numerous first-round choices.
After selling away players Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper, the Raiders had three first-round selections in their first draft. Clelin Ferrell, the No. 4 overall selection, was a reserve this season, Josh Jacobs, the No. 24 overall choice, was a competent running back, and Johnathan Abram, the No. 27 overall pick, was a problem in coverage at safety.
The team did strike on two later-round choices in that season, with fourth-round edge rusher Maxx Crosby, a second-team All-Pro this year, and fifth-round slot receiver Hunter Renfrow catching 103 passes for 1,038 yards.
However, Mayock’s demise might be linked to the 2020 draft. Both first-round choices have already been dismissed, with receiver Henry Ruggs III released after being charged with crimes in a deadly DUI collision that killed a 23-year-old woman and cornerback Damon Arnette terminated after making online threats to someone.
Lynn Bowden Jr. and Tanner Muse, two of the team’s third-round choices, never saw action and none of the picks had a significant influence.
In 2021, the Raiders chose a player higher than the consensus in the first round, picking lineman Alex Leatherwood 17th overall. He rapidly burned out at tackle before transferring to guard, where he battled with penalties and pass protection.
Free agency hasn’t been any better, with hefty contracts for players like Trent Brown, Lamarcus Joyner, Tyrell Williams, and Cory Littleton failing to deliver.
The critical choices on quarterback Derek Carr’s future and how to strengthen the squad to make the Raiders a perennial postseason contender will now be made by a new general manager.