The Las Vegas Raiders have made a drastic decision following a disappointing start to the 2023 NFL season. Raiders owner Mark Davis announced late Tuesday night that he has fired head coach Josh McDaniels, as well as general manager David Ziegler. This surprising move comes after the Raiders struggled to meet expectations and achieve success on the field.
Key Takeaway
The Las Vegas Raiders have made the decision to relieve head coach Josh McDaniels of his duties, along with general manager David Ziegler. This comes after a lackluster performance by the team, both this season and in the previous year. McDaniels has faced a similar predicament in the past when he was let go by the Denver Broncos. The Raiders will move forward with interim head coach Antonio Pierce and Champ Kelly as the new general manager.
Underwhelming Results Prompt Change
After careful consideration of the team’s future, Davis made the difficult choice to part ways with McDaniels and Ziegler. In a statement, Davis expressed gratitude for their efforts and wished them and their families the best moving forward. However, the performance of the team left much to be desired.
McDaniels and Ziegler were hired before the start of the 2022 season with high hopes for a successful run in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, their tenure fell short of expectations. In the 2022 season, the Raiders finished with a disappointing 6-11 record. This year, they struggled with a 3-5 record before the decision was made to terminate their contracts.
Monday Night Football Loss Exacerbates Situation
The Raiders’ recent loss to the Detroit Lions on “Monday Night Football” further highlighted the team’s struggles. Star player Davante Adams was seen expressing his frustration on the sidelines, throwing his helmet in a fit of anger. This display of discontent only added to the mounting pressure on McDaniels and the coaching staff.
New Interim Leadership
Davis also announced the interim replacements for McDaniels and Ziegler. Linebackers coach Antonio Pierce, a former NFL player with nine seasons of experience, will step in as the interim head coach. Meanwhile, Champ Kelly will assume the role of general manager.
A Second Head Coaching Dismissal for McDaniels
This is not the first time McDaniels has faced a mid-season firing. In 2010, he was let go by the Denver Broncos after less than two years on the job. Now, history has repeated itself with his departure from the Raiders.
The Raiders will face the New York Giants in their upcoming game on Sunday as they strive to regroup and make a fresh start under new leadership.
