Four years ago today, the Raiders fired head coach Jack Del Rio. The decision came shortly after a lopsided loss to the Chargers in the season finale, capping the Raiders’ season at 6-10.
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“[Raiders owner] Mark Davis told me he loved me and appreciated all that I did to get this program going to right direction,” said Del Rio. “But, [he also] that he felt he needed a change.”
Davis hired Del Rio in 2015 and saw the team improve from 3-13 to 7-9. That Raiders team didn’t necessarily set the world on fire, but they were at least in the playoff hunt, up until a Week 15 loss to the Packers. In 2016, it appeared that the Raiders were on the right track. With Del Rio at the helm and Derek Carr under center, the Raiders finished 12-4 to earn their first playoff spot since 2002.
Unfortunately, Carr didn’t make it to the postseason after suffering a broken fibula in Week 16. Then, when Matt McGloin suffered a shoulder injury the following week, rookie Connor Cook was thrust into action. Oakland’s long-awaited playoff appearance ended abruptly with a loss to the Texans. Had Carr been on the field, it’s possible that things could have gone differently for the Raiders and JDR.
So, after a cumulative 25-23 record, the Raiders dismissed Del Rio and immediately set their sights on Jon Gruden. Del Rio, meanwhile, spent the next few years away from football, up until 2020 when he became Washington’s defensive coordinator.
When Del Rio crossed paths with his old team a few weeks back, he had an opportunity to mend fences with Carr. Previously, Del Rio had some unflattering things to say about Carr’s ability to perform in cold weather. Fortunately, with 2021 drawing to a close, they were able to bury the hatchet.
“I talked to him afterward,” Carr said. “We had a good talk, obviously I wish it was better for me, but we just expressed our love for one another and how thankful we were for the times that we had.”
He should get fired this year in Washington for a very poor defense!
It couldn’t possibly be the defense was mangled with injuries
Or how the defense is always on the field because the offense turns over the ball.
Yes after about five weeks it was injuries…. But they stunk it up from week one!
“But, [he also] that he felt he needed a change.”
I think meant “he also said.”
*I think you meant to write “[he also said]”
Jack Del Rio lost his mojo for a bit as head coach of the Raiders
Not sure what happened there, he seemed over-matched in the end.
I always liked him though
The third week of the season Jack decided to let the entire team take a knee in Washington, a stadium loaded with military and Government personnel. The entire stadium rained hell on the team, and the O-Line decided not to block for a QB who did not kneel. The team was lost from that point forward.
Was also at the Chargers game where Jack was basically fired on the field before he could take his head set off. The Raiders were playing two hand touch powder puff ball.
He wasn’t like that as a player and he was good with the Raiders at first, but he just took a big spill. He also signed that Headcase Marshawn Lynch and I think that was the beginning if the end
I didn’t know he allowed the Raiders to take a knee like that, especially with who was in the crowd that day. Raiders were a team of misfits and outlaws, but they respected the flag and Vets and current members of the Armed Forces. They were always known for that
As a local I attended the game with many friends and associates that are solid burgundy and gold fans.
It was the only time in my life that I was embarrassed to wear a Raider jersey, and this was prior to the team even taking the field. The teams performance after kickoff made it very evident that more prep had been made to pre kick-off then post kick-off.
Funny now that I think about it. He lost the team in the Washington game. And now he’s the DC in Washington
Del Rio has the type of demeanor that rubs people the wrong way. Thus he turns players off over time. His Washington defense hasn’t listened all year, thus they are playing below the level they are capable of. I’d be surprised if Rivera doesn’t make a change in the off season.
That’s pretty speculative
It really says something when your front seven have 5-7 drafted #1’s and they end up with a very poor run defense….. it’s been ugly since game one, before the injuries
Coaches that are concerned about “rubbing people the wrong way” invariably fail. As John Madden often stated you have to be true to yourself and not worry about trying to be what others think you should be.