Raiders Need Stable Coach for Multi-Year Rebuild Amidst Division Challenges

Key Quotes

"obviously when you get the number one overall pick things tend to have gone south and boy did they ever this team looked hapless down the stretch there they took you know a while to beat the christalacoon uh shane bushel led kansas city chiefs in week 18 it was just ugly from i can't say start to finish because they beat the patriots week one they had a very different feel after week one than they do now but i think for the last gosh eight to 10 weeks of the season the writing was on the wall here for pete carroll this team had no juice and for a pete carroll team that's supposed to play with a lot of energy a lot of competition they're at least supposed to be what was promised for the raiders was that they would be competitive last year under antonio pierce they just weren't competitive and pete carroll was supposed to bring a level of competition bring some fire back to this team and it just looked like they didn't have any juice after that last couple over uh the rest of the season after the first two weeks it felt like the offense just had nothing going for it the defense had maybe a couple bright spots but there was just no juice no energy on this team and it's sort of unbecoming of a pete carroll led unit"

JP Acosta explains that the Raiders' struggles under Pete Carroll were evident for much of the season, culminating in a dismal performance despite having the number one overall pick. Acosta highlights that the team lacked energy and competitiveness, which is uncharacteristic of a Pete Carroll-coached team.

"i think them holding the number one overall pick them having over 100 million in cap space if you just did not have mark davis as your owner right if you just had this roster where they have some cornerstone pieces you have brock bowers you got aj genty you have max crosby i think kolton miller is a cornerstone esque left tackle as well even though he's 30 we've seen tackles career ages you probably got three or four more useful years even though he did get hurt this year you got some pieces there in place you got a lot of money to work with you got a lot of draft picks now to work with i don't think this is the worst head coaching option out there i think it could be a very attractive one but you kind of just got to sell me that brady is calling more shots here than mark davis and that it's really going to be a new era of decision making from the top down there in las vegas"

JP Acosta suggests that despite the team's poor performance, the Raiders possess attractive assets such as significant cap space, cornerstone players like Max Crosby and Kolton Miller, and numerous draft picks. Acosta believes these factors could make the head coaching position appealing, provided that Tom Brady has substantial influence over decision-making rather than owner Mark Davis.

"like they just need somebody who will at least stay for more than a year and part of that is due to mark davis not picking the right guys but it is important for this raiders franchise to actually find a guy that they are willing to put more than one year into so i'm i'm curious i don't know if this is this would be near the top of my head coach opening rankings mainly because you have to go through the afc west you got to go through jim harbaugh justin herbert andy reid and patrick mahomes bo nix and sean payton you got to go through three legit playoff teams including the chiefs when they're healthy and the raiders are still pretty far behind"

JP Acosta points out the Raiders' history of coaching instability, having had six head coaches since 2021, which he attributes partly to owner Mark Davis's hiring decisions. Acosta emphasizes the franchise's need for a coach who will be given a multi-year commitment. He also expresses reservations about the Raiders' ranking among head coaching openings due to the competitive AFC West division.

"so like you said this could be a while and it could be even more than that even if you do turn your good even if everything works out great you probably have three of the most stable rosters and head coaches in your division of any division in the nfl it is probably the most difficult situation in terms of just one team trying to overcome to a division title maybe outside of the nfc north like there's not an nfc west like this is a about as tough a division or will be for the next five to 10 years as will exist in the nfl so because of that everything could go great and you could still be consistently on the outside looking in at the playoffs"

JP Acosta discusses the challenging divisional landscape the Raiders face, noting that the AFC West is likely one of the toughest divisions in the NFL for the foreseeable future. Acosta explains that even with successful team development, the Raiders may consistently find themselves on the outside of playoff contention due to the strength of their division rivals.

"so this next head coach this next gm this next head coach they bring in has to emphasize player development they have to hire a good staff to help get these guys along because you invested capital in these guys they're not day three swings these are day two round two round three picks you got to have these guys work out to fill out your roster it's a great segment we're going to look at some of the names we think could be the next head coach who we'd like to see right after a quick break"

JP Acosta stresses the critical need for the Raiders' next head coach and general manager to prioritize player development. Acosta argues that significant draft capital has been invested in day two picks, and these players must succeed to build out the roster effectively. He suggests that hiring a strong coaching staff is essential to facilitate this development.

"i think flores might be their number one guy i would also maybe consider jesse minter i think if he wants to leave and depending on whatever happens with the ravens because if the ravens end up firing john harbaugh i think they're going to go after jesse minter hard and if you throw a bunch of money at jesse minter to come be the head coach of the ravens he probably will take that job but minter also has done a really good job with what has been a rebuilding chargers team like we forget because they've been to the playoffs for what is now the third straight year or second straight year under jim harbaugh this team was not good before harbaugh came in they completely gutted the roster and this team has been constantly this defense has constantly punched above their weight class"

JP Acosta speculates that Brian Flores may be the Raiders' top candidate for head coach, while also considering Jesse Minter as a strong possibility. Acosta notes that Minter's success with the Chargers' defense, despite roster changes, demonstrates his ability to elevate a team. He also acknowledges that Minter might be pursued by the Ravens if John Harbaugh departs.