Where did it all go wrong for McDaniels and the Raiders?
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas – but no one said anything about the reverse. Old habits die hard, and for the Raiders sitting head coach, history has repeated itself in Sin City.
Josh McDaniels has now left the Las Vegas franchise, on the back of the Raiders falling to 3-5 at the hands of the Detroit Lions on MNF, in a matchup which ended 26-14. It was a fitting ending to a horrific month for the organisation.
It’s big news to hear, but not surprising at all. McDaniels has been under pressure for some time, and it has been clear to see that the tide has been turning for him so far this season.
Frustrations in the game against the Lions boiled over for many players, including star receiver Davante Adams. Though he later told the media he was at a loss for words, his sideline antics, including spiking his helmet off the ground, made his feelings explicit.
On the Thursday before Vegas’ Week Eight matchup with Detroit, the team held a team meeting for players to ‘voice their frustration’. Many of the star players were among those who spoke up, including Maxx Crosby, Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the meeting was ‘considered very positive’ – a rarity for McDaniels, but ultimately did nothing to help his cause to stay. From the lack of transparency with players, to the lacklustre play calling – it feels like the Raiders were being haunted by the ghosts of McDaniel’s past, and they’ve had to make a change.
Halloween nightmare in Sin City
October has been perhaps the worst month in recent memory for the Raiders, who are no strangers to adversity. Only a week ago, Diana Russini reported the side was in ‘win now mode’, and McDaniels was on the hot seat. Days later, the Raiders suffered their fourth loss of the season at the hands of the Chicago Bears, in a matchup which saw both sides start backup quarterbacks. McDaniels was heavily criticised online for starting Brian Hoyer instead of rookie passer Aidan O’Connell, who entered the game in the third quarter, and threw the Raiders only touchdown.
In the week between the loss to the Bears and Lions, a personal feud between McDaniels and fan favourite Hunter Renfrow was rumoured to be behind the ultimately unsuccessful decision to seek a trade for the former Clemson Tigers receiver.
Meanwhile another blackhole favourite, Davante Adams, has publicly complained regarding the way he has been utilised in the offence, citing low targets, as well as the subpar wins and losses record. Against Detroit, he hauled in only one catch for 11 yards.
On Friday, he appeared on the Rich Eisen Show, and though he did quell trade rumours, stating he is ‘focused solely on being a Raider’, he admitted: “I’m not happy at every moment, but I’m proud to wear this uniform.
He added: “I came here to play with Derek, I can’t say I would have been here if he wasn’t.”
Though he played it cool during the interview, rumours that Adams inquired about ‘a change of scenery’ emerged following the loss to the Lions.
McDaniels’ record in Vegas was… not great at all
Feuds with players and fans are one thing, but McDaniels’ record in the desert make it clear why he was on the hot seat, and why he was subsequently relived of his duties.
Despite the Raiders mediocrity through the years, McDaniels inherited a playoff team when he took the reins in January of 2022. Since his hiring, they have reverted to a win deficient team, achieving a 9-16 record.
A deeper look into those 25 games shows the Raiders have blown five double digit leads, and despite being a three-time super bowl champion offensive coordinator, McDaniels’ side has failed to score 20 points in all but one of their eight games this season.
Additionally, he has been scrutinised for many play calling decisions – including kicking a field goal against the Bears while down 18 points in the fourth quarter.
Back in 2010, McDaniels was fired by Denver in only his second season as head coach in Colorado, after taking the Broncos to a 3-9 record in 2010. There, he also had personal feuds with players – notably the Broncos 2011 first round draft pick, quarterback Jay Cutler.
Some fans have even pointed to his time in New England, where McDaniels was known to get into heated confrontations with Tom Brady.
Despite it all, sitting at 3-5 with playoffs still somewhat in reach, the Raiders opted to make no changes ahead of the trade deadline.
When you combine this with the mounting pressure from fans – some of which have appealed directly to the Raiders owner, Mark Davis, for McDaniels dismissal – a repeat of his Denver stint is unquestionably on the cards.
