Henderson, Nev. - Mike Mayock has been fired after three turbulent seasons as general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, setting a combined record of 25–24, the team's first playoff appearance since 2016 (and only second since 2002) and Many on-the-field controversies.
"We have relieved Mike Mayock of his duties as general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders," the team said in a statement Monday. "We thank Mike for his contribution over the past three years to helping build the foundation for the future of the franchise."
A source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the Raiders have begun the process of finding his replacement, requesting an interview with Dave Ziegler, the New England Patriots' director of player personnel.
The Raiders are also starting their search for a new head coach. Interim coach Rich Bisaccia said on Monday he had preliminary talks with team owner Mark Davis about potentially finding a full-time job. A source told Schefter that the Raiders have also requested an interview with the Patriots, inside linebackers coach Jerrod Mayo.
Mayock's firing came two days after the Raiders were knocked out of the playoffs after losing to the Cincinnati Bengals in a wild card game.
Mayock, 63, was appointed as a GM by the Raiders on December 31, 2018, after 15 years as a draft analyst and on-air analyst for the NFL Network, with the team notably drafted and then coach. To help work with John. Gruden, who had the final say in personnel decisions.
Davis told ESPN that Gruden has a 51-49 percent advantage in the power structure when it comes to decision-making. This shifted to Mayock's benefit over Bisaccia in the wake of his email scandal following Gruden's sudden resignation on 11 October.
This season, Mayock had to navigate the team through receiver Henry Rugs III's car crash that claimed the life of a 23-year-old on the morning of November 2 - the 2020 first-round draft pick issued by the team . Hours later — as well as the release of fellow 2020 first-rounder Damon Arnett — came less than a week after videos surfaced online of cornerbacks brandishing guns and making death threats.
And while Gruden had the final say on personnel, the Raiders missed far more times than his and Mayock's 23 combined selections in three drafts together.
While 16 of those players are still on the roster, four of Las Vegas' top five picks in the 2020 draft were gone in less than a season-and-a-half, including the Rugs and Arnett Lynn Bowden Jr. (formerly traded to Miami). used to). season began) and Tanner Museum, who spent his rookie season at IR and were cut before the 2021 season began. In fact, going forward in that draft, Mayock said that having three picks in the third round was "like stealing," and that if the Raiders did their job right, they'd have "three more starts."
Those three picks were Bowden, receiver Brian Edwards, who is a starter, and Muse.
A year earlier, the Raiders had three picks in the first round and used Clein Farrell on the defensive end at No. 4 overall, trailing Josh Jacobs at No. 24 and strong defense Jonathan Abrams at No. 27. Ferrell is more of an influence player on special teams than a frequent contributor. Jacobs has a 1,000-yard rushing season and a couple of Pro Bowls on his resume, but his output fell significantly this season. Although Abrams can be effective against runs, he is at a disadvantage against passes.
Last spring, the Raiders used the No. 17 pick on Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, who was given a second-round grade by many. He struggled enough in the right tackle that he was moved to right guard in Week 5 and is the second most penalized offensive lineman in the NFL.
The Raiders, however, have started in lower-round picks during Mayock's tenure: cornerback Trayvon Mullen Jr. (2019 second round), defensive end Max Crosby (2019 fourth round), slot receiver Hunter Renfro (2019 fifth round), left Guards John Simpson (2020 fourth round), free safety Trayvon Mohrig (2021 second round) and nickel cornerback Nate Hobbs (2021 fifth round).
Mayoke's Raiders career began with the Antonio Brown episode, in which the GM fined him for missing training camp practices, and Brown posted fine letters on his social media. The Raiders later left Brown without a receiver ever to play down for the team.