Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that there was “no shortage of rumblings” about the long-term viability of Jon Gruden and GM Reggie McKenzie when the Raiders brought Gruden back as their head coach.
According to La Canfora, executives around the NFL would be shocked if the Raiders don’t shake up their front office next year.
La Canfora admits it’s early in the season, but the dynamics between Gruden and McKenzie “have not been great” and Gruden actions and comments signal potential changes on the horizon.
La Canfora adds that numerous general managers, personnel directors and NFL officials “would be shocked if there are not new decision-makers in place in Oakland well before the 2019 draft.”
In fact, La Canfora says it’s considered a “near certainty” in NFL circles that changes are coming and that Gruden may look to his former colleagues along with a group of young rising executives at other teams to be brought in.
The Raiders traded away DE Khalil Mack and cut a number of high draft picks made by McKenzie since taking over, so there had already been speculation about McKenzie’s long-term future with the franchise.
McKenzie, 55, is a former 10th-round pick of the Raiders back in 1985. He played for the Raiders, Cardinals and 49ers before becoming an NFL executive in 1994.
After 18 years in Green Bay, McKenzie was hired by the Raiders as their GM in 2012. During his six years in Oakland, McKenzie’s teams have gone 36-60 including one playoff appearance.
We’ll have more regarding potential changes for the Raiders as the news is available.
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