We heard earlier this evening that the Raiders had requested permission to interview two GM candidates. There was one issue: Mike Mayock was still the team’s general manager. Now, we’re learning that Mayock is out in Las Vegas. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Raiders have informed Mayock that he won’t be retained.
[RELATED: Raiders Request Interviews With Patriots’ Jerod Mayo, Dave Ziegler]
“We have relieved Mike Mayock of his duties as General Manager of the Las Vegas Raiders,” the team said in a statement (via Albert Breer on Twitter). “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.”
Per Rapoport (on Twitter), the Raiders organization made their decision to fire Mayock “several days ago.” Their requests to interview Patriots exec Dave Ziegler and Colts exec Ed Dobbs were made earlier this evening. It’s uncertain when Mayock learned of his fate. According to Breer (on Twitter), there were rumblings prior to the draft that Mayock could be on his way out with the organization. He kept his gig and saw his team make the playoffs, but Aaron Wilson tweets that the organization had been putting out feelers on potential HC and GM candidates over the past few days. It doesn’t sound like that sits well with current Raiders staffers; NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe tweets that scouts, coaches, and executives were currently prepping for the draft and free agency without knowing there could be a major shakeup atop the front office.
The broadcaster-turned-GM didn’t have final say over transactions during much of his tenure with the Raiders; that honor belonged to head coach Jon Gruden before he resigned this season. There were plenty of misfires during the duo’s time with the organization; both of the Raiders’ 2020 first-round picks (Henry Ruggs and Damon Arnette) were cut this year, and the front office surely has regrets with how things unfolded with acquisitions like Antonio Brown, Trent Brown, and Lamarcus Joyner.
However, as PFF’s Doug Kyed tweets, Mayock should be credited with a handful of late-round hits, including defensive end Maxx Crosby, wideout Hunter Renfrow, tight end Foster Moreau, and cornerback Nate Hobbs. The Raiders also improved during each of Mayock’s three seasons at the helm, culminating in the GM’s first playoff appearance this season following a 10-win regular season. Not to mention, that playoff performance came amid a tumultuous season off the field. Alas, the organization will now look for a new GM to guide the front office, with Ziegler and Dobbs first on the list of candidates.
Meanwhile, this news doesn’t bode well for interim head coach Rich Bisaccia‘s chances of keeping his gig. The long-time special teams coordinator guided the team to a 7-5 record and a playoff appearance, but a new GM will surely prefer their own coaching staff. We already heard earlier tonight that the organization requested permission to interview Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo. According to Schefter (on Twitter), Bisaccia “remains with the team at this time.”
Well, that answers a bunch of questions. It does leave a bit unanswered, as to who was in favor of what moves the Raiders made between Mayock and Gruden. How much should we credit either individually for the state of the roster? It might be a relevant question if Mayock ever gets hired to do this again-or if we’re to trust his draft coverage (which might have been the best in a rather poor field of competitors-unless, as it appears now, it wasn’t).
Back to draft guru for Mike.
He was the best at that.
I couldn’t take any of his first round talent evaluations serious now after seeing him as a gm.
Still can’t tell if they were Mayock picks or Gruden picks.
Path to the Draft
Kind of made his own bed with questionable Free Agent and Draft pick decisions.
Several mistakes in the Draft with the team’s First Round draft picks.
Drafted Clelin Ferrell, Damon Arnette and Alex Leatherwood higher than any other team would have. Drafted Lynn Bowden and Tanner Muse with early 3rd Round picks.
Gambled on players, he knew in advance, had questionable Character issues: Arnette and Antonio Brown.
But he does deserve Credit for drafting Maxx Crosby.
Those early picks likely weren’t his alone, if at all. Gruden was clearly in charge. My belief was Mayock had more of a hand in those late round gems.
Raiders have been the perfect side show considering the city they rep. Luckily with Davis in charge, that won’t be changing any time soon.
Not too surprising given his drafting and where he put them cap wise
Mayock proved that it is much easier to be a TV draft expert than a real one. On TV you don’t have to live with the consequences of your poor evaluations/picks let alone utilize the draft to help manage the salary cap.
Is Harbaugh now considered for the HC GM or combo position..?
Harbough just hired a new OL coach at UM, and NFL money doesn’t motivate him. He’s likely not going anywhere. I’m guessing they’ll raid(er) the Pats staff, both GM and HC.
Keep in mind to tho Harbaugh salary was slashed last year, as well as Vegas is on the west coast something he enjoyed before. But I don’t seem him leaving earlier.
Just going by the ‘frontrunner’ label TR put on him for the coach tracker story. And if the role of GM (or coach with roster say) would appeal to him.
Other rumblings connect him to the Bears job, which they claim he’d be interested in potentially as well.
I think this is a sign they’re going to distance themselves from Gruden/Gruden guys.
I don’t like this, and I mean at all. It’s so frustrating being a Raider fan. Things get going in the right direction, and Davis blows it up… same as last time when he chased Gruden. He didn’t learn anything. He’s almost adverse to learning it seems.
I felt the same way about the Del Rio firing, honestly, as an outside NFL fan.
Weird that they won’t fire both Mayock and Bisaccia at the same time. Even weirder if they keep Bisaccia.
Probably trying to figure out how to keep him as the STC when the dust settles.
Eagles go get Carr
Mayock was likely just carrying the water for Gruden – thus it makes sense they don’t give him responsibility for the team’s future.