On Monday afternoon, the Raiders released a statement to confirm the firing of longtime GM Reggie McKenzie.
“We are grateful for everything Reggie has done for this organization as a player, executive and member of the Raider family,” the statement read. “The Raiders will immediately begin a search for a new front office executive.”
Curiously, the statement indicates that the Raiders will look “for a new front office executive,” which may mean that the club will not give anyone the title of GM for 2019.
Here’s the latest out of Oakland:
- Those in the building say that Gruden actually liked McKenzie, even as Gruden picked apart the roster that he built, Albert Breer of The MMQB tweets. Things weren’t outwardly contentious between the two men, Breer hears, and he notes that McKenzie’s decision to set high asking prices for Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper actually paid off. Before each deal, there was speculation that McKenzie was looking to sandbag the efforts, but that does not appear to be the case in retrospect.
- The Raiders may view executives such as Jimmy Raye III, Mark Dominik, and Chris Polian as candidates to become the new GM or chief of personnel, according to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). And, despite previous rumors linking Redskins exec Bruce Allen to the post, Pelissero hears that Allen is not “on the front burner” for the Raiders at this time.
To summarize, the Raiders traded a stud D player which made the Bears into playoff contention. Then followed that by trading a stud O player which made Dallas leaders in the East who were 3-4 before the trade. Great strategy there Davis!
That resulted in three first round draft picks. Anyone with any sense would know these deals cannot be evaluated for about five years.
All of which are in the 20-30 range. Not much actual difference between that and a 2nd round pick. Especially when you included a 2nd round pick for your best player on your roster with him.
So by year 6, we should know if Gruden has done a good or bad job? His trades unseated GB & Philly in their respected divisions. That we know this year.