The Las Vegas Raiders were in the running for the most disappointing team during the 2022 season. It was the first under Josh McDaniels as head coach and things never really got on track. A 2-7 start doomed them, as they were out of the running almost immediately.
Looking to shake things up this offseason, there will be a new starting quarterback in Las Vegas. The team moved on from Derek Carr, who never got comfortable in McDaniels’ system. Replacing him is Jimmy Garoppolo, someone that knows the system pretty well from his time with the New England Patriots. McDaniels was the offensive coordinator for him earlier in his career.
That connection from a few years ago is very likely why Garoppolo ended up in Sin City. McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler, also from the Patriots, want to reset the culture and find guys that fit the “Patriot Way” they are attempting to replicate.
That, in large part, is why the Raiders are considered losers thus far this offseason. It is a strategy that has burned numerous coaches in the past, McDaniels included and looks to be rearing its ugly head once again.
Anyone who spends extensive time with the Patriots attempts to replicate what occurred in New England with their new team. However, the most important factors to that success, head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, weren’t at the new destinations.
Every person who moves onto a new job wants to bring some familiar faces, so it makes sense to add a few. But the two biggest acquisitions this offseason, Garoppolo and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, both have Patriots ties. To sign Meyers, the team had to trade tight end Darren Waller to clear cap space.
An argument could be made that was a short-sighted decision, but only time will truly tell. Patriots West is an unoriginal plan that has had no success outside of New England. The Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers have to be happy that it is occurring once again, though, as it will make their job of navigating the AFC West a little easier.
