The Raiders’ season has already been a tumultuous ride.
It’s no secret that Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis is well aware of the fans’ desire to see head coach Josh McDaniels replaced. Calls for McDaniels’ dismissal have been echoing since last season, and they’ve only grown more resounding.
During the Week 4 game against the Chargers in Los Angeles, fans even confronted Davis directly. A disheartening 30-12 defeat to the previously 1-5 Chicago Bears in Week 7 has further agitated the fan base.
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Now, fans are taking their discontent to the streets of the team’s city. During the October 23 parade celebrating the Las Vegas Aces’ championship win in the WNBA, a man named Vegas Ralph managed to approach the owner while holding a sign that read “Fire Josh.”
Davis engaged with the fan and acknowledged that he had heard the message. The video clip was shared by @RaiderCody on social media.
Ordinarily, team owners do not engage with disgruntled fans, but Davis has built a reputation as a fan-friendly owner throughout his career. Nevertheless, he appears to be growing frustrated. He likely did not anticipate the Raiders performing so lacklusterly a year and a half into McDaniels’ tenure. Having fans approach him on the streets is less than ideal, especially when he was there to celebrate a championship for his other franchise.
Mark Davis is known for his patience and is not inclined to make hasty decisions. Every full-time head coach he’s hired has been given more than two full seasons to lead the team. The issue confronting Josh McDaniels is that he took over a 10-7 team that made the playoffs and has since posted a 9-15 record in 24 games.
During that span, the Raiders have suffered several embarrassing losses, with the Week 7 defeat to a Bears team featuring an undrafted rookie quarterback making his first career start possibly marking a low point. Heading into this season, Davis likely did not anticipate considering firing McDaniels, but the Raiders’ poor performance this season is changing the equation.
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Despite McDaniels’ extensive career as an offensive coordinator, the Raiders’ offense has yet to score 20 points this season. The team’s average of 16.0 points per game ranks as the third-worst in the NFL at the moment. The inability of McDaniels to get his offensive unit performing effectively is a cause for concern and may ultimately lead to his departure.
One reason why Josh McDaniels’ job might remain secure until the end of the season is the coaching staff he has assembled. There are no clear-cut former head coaches within the organization who could readily take his place.
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has previously interviewed for head coaching positions and could be a leading contender for the job, although Mark Davis might prefer to keep him focused on the defense. Senior defensive assistant Rob Ryan boasts over 30 years of coaching experience in the NFL and could also be a viable option.
It’s difficult to envision Davis following the path the Indianapolis Colts took last season by hiring from outside the organization. While fans are eager to see McDaniels depart, if it were to happen, it’s likely to occur after the season concludes.
Josh McDaniels has yet to prove himself as a successful head coach over time.
