Raiders Owner Restates Commitment to Head Coach

The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off a humiliating 25-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, a defeat so inexcusable that it inspired conversation about the viability of first-year head coach Josh McDaniels. Raiders owner Mark Davis has heard the grumbling of his fanbase, but it appears his confidence isn't shaken. In a story from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, he expressed his loyalty to McDaniels, perhaps even beyond this season.

“I like Josh. I think he’s doing a fantastic job. That’s why I hired him,” Mark Davis said. “We did an exhaustive search and found the person we believe is going to bring the Raiders to greatness.” #RaiderNation https://t.co/VQlsRv1wZr
— Las Vegas Review-Journal (@reviewjournal) November 14, 2022

McDaniels has gotten off to a rough start with the Raiders, opening the season 2-7. The Raiders narrowly made the playoffs last season after finishing 10-7 under interim head coach Rich Bisaccia. That team opened the season 3-2 under Jon Gruden, who resigned after his racist, misogynist, and homophobic emails were exposed following an investigation into Washington Commanders' general manager Bruce Allen.

The Raiders' success last season despite their tumultuous coaching situation created optimism they were primed to compete this year. Splashy offseason acquisitions of All-Pros Davante Adams and Chandler Jones stoked the fires all the more. But McDaniels' slow start has jogged memories of his disastrous first head coaching stint, an 11-17 run with the Denver Broncos that didn't even last two seasons.

Lucky for McDaniels, Raiders ownership appears content to try a drama-free approach at head coach in the post-Jon Gruden era. So long as McDaniels can avoid scandal, the Raiders can probably handle a little bit of losing for the time being.