Oakland Raiders: Jack Del Rio’s job is safe for at least another season
Despite a disappointing 6-8 record, Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio will have a chance to right the ship in 2018.
Many said head coach Jack Del Rio pairing with the Oakland Raiders equates to Mark Jackson’s role in aiding the Golden State Warriors’ ascension. He’s good enough to change the culture but doesn’t have what it takes to put this franchise in position to win championships.
It’s a clever analogy that’s passed along, but there’s one problem. Who’s the Steve Kerr-type head coach to take over in Oakland? Every year, we hear rumors involving Jon Gruden, but he seems comfortable in his ESPN Monday Night Football job.
So, who’s it going to be, an established coach such as Bill Cowher leaving CBS to return to the sidelines? How about New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels taking his second shot at a head coach position? For those looking for the Raiders’ Kerr to push the franchise to the next level, understand those types of sports marriages don’t come along easy.
Just a year ago, Oakland showed so much promise with Del Rio leading the way. He made two terrible decisions with his coordinators—allowing Ken Norton Jr. stay too long and letting Bill Musgrave walk away too early.
The Raiders proved they can win with Del Rio calling the shots on the sideline, but it’s obvious he needs to make better choices with his assistants. As a play-caller, John Pagano has improved the defense. In order to put this team back on the playoff track, an experienced or innovative offensive mind must take over for Todd Downing.
We’ll never know for sure, but Musgrave in his third year with quarterback Derek Carr and Pagano scheming on defense would’ve kept the Raiders in the hunt for an AFC West title. Nonetheless, we’ll move on with what’s reality.
The Raiders can’t afford to waste edge-rusher Khalil Mack’s peak years. It’s a crucial time in Carr’s career to have a quality coordinator, who’s not learning on the job, in his ear. The offense still fields a top-tier pass-protecting front line with a versatile backfield. An established offensive mind would salivate with the talent available in Oakland.
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Though it’s only been one year, Del Rio can’t make the same mistake in keeping a rookie coordinator on staff for a second season after a disappointing campaign. He must pull the plug on Downing.
With the defense starting to come around, it’s an opportune time to adjust the offensive scheme to optimize production.
As for Del Rio’s position, he’s safe for another season. Despite the 6-8 record, poor decisions and lackluster results, the organization will likely give him time to fix the problem, which should focus on re-energizing the offense. Unless there’s a locker room mutiny, which has yet to happen, expect to see the same head coach in charge during the 2018 campaign.
Del Rio signed an extension over the past summer, which keeps him under contract through the 2020 season. In a statement discussing the new deal, owner Mark Davis specifically credited his head coach with establishing a new norm for the Silver and Black:
"The Raiders have torn up Jack Del Rio’s original contract and rewarded him with a new four-year deal. We are excited to continue building on the strong foundation that has been established and this is a significant step in achieving that goal."
One down season isn’t going to cost Del Rio his job because fans had their hopes set on consecutive years in the playoffs.
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Davis exercised much patience with general manager Reggie McKenzie who started his tenure 18-46 in his executive position. There’s little to no chance that Del Rio sees the exit after ending the Raiders’ 14-year playoff drought. Sure, he made a mess in choosing his play-calling assistants, but the front office will likely give him at least one year to correct himself.