There have been a lot of opinions, mostly negative, shared about Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels during his first year on the job. The team fell woefully short of expectations during the 2022 season, failing to build upon the unexpected success the team found the previous season despite difficult circumstances.
Heading into 2023, McDaniels is likely feeling his seat get warmer and warmer as pressure mounts to find success on the field. That became a much tougher task as well after Monday afternoon.
The Raiders failed to come to a long-term agreement with running back Josh Jacobs, who had the franchise tag placed on him in March. With no deal agreed upon before 4 p.m. ET on July 17th, the only deal that Jacobs can now sign with the team is the franchise tender worth $10.1 million.
It is anyone’s guess when Jacobs will sign that deal, if ever. There have been reports that he is willing to hold out into the regular season as the current running back landscape has annoyed many people around the league.
It would be a huge blow to the Raiders’ offense if Jacobs wasn’t in the backfield in Week 1. They have enough to worry about with the status of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who was unable to pass a physical when he signed as a free agent in March and could have his contract voided if he isn’t healthy in a few weeks.
The whole situation has drawn plenty of criticism around the football world. One person to throw a jab at McDaniels recently is current NFL analyst and former Raiders running back, Maurice Jones-Drew.
There is some truth to what Jones-Drew tweeted out. Assistant coaches branch out all of the time and while some do find success, that hasn’t been the case with any of Bill Belichick’s disciples.
McDaniels isn’t the first coordinator under Belichick to find struggles as a head and he likely won’t be the last. The New England Patriots’ way of operating only works because Belichick is the one leading the way; having Tom Brady as the starting quarterback for nearly two decades certainly helps.
McDaniel’s tenure with the Denver Broncos as head coach was short-lived because he attempted to recreate the Patriot Way. He is doing the same thing in Las Vegas with general manager Dave Zeigler and once again the results have been mostly negative.
