This week, following a nasty loss on Monday to the Detroit Lions, the Las Vegas Raiders made some major changes.
They decided to bench veteran starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in favor of Aidan O’Connell, and they fired head coach Josh McDaniels, replacing him with linebackers coach Antonio Pierce.
Star wide receiver Davante Adams has a positive attitude about the coaching move, saying, per Justin Churchill, that “it was time for a change.”
#Raiders WR Davante Adams:” It was time for a change. Things are different now, but we have an opportunity to change it. That’s the mindset we are having… I really appreciate Joh and Dave for bringing me here. I’m appreciative of them.”
— Justin Churchill (@ChurchillAtoZ) November 2, 2023
For the second straight season, the Raiders have had ample talent on both sides of the football with studs such as Adams, running back Josh Jacobs, and pass rusher Maxx Crosby, but they have again failed to put it all together.
They currently hold a 3-5 record, and they rank near the bottom of the NFL in several key categories, especially on offense.
Garoppolo seemed to be the answer at QB after Las Vegas parted ways with Derek Carr late last season, especially after Garoppolo helped power the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC Championship Game in three of the previous four seasons.
But he has struggled with the Raiders, throwing more interceptions (nine) than touchdown passes (seven), and he was particularly bad on Monday versus Detroit when he went 10 of 21 and was sacked six times.
Adams has 539 receiving yards and three touchdowns so far this season, while Jakobi Meyers, whom the Raiders signed away from the New England Patriots during the offseason, has put up 404 yards and five touchdowns.
Las Vegas will face the New York Giants and New York Jets in the next two weeks, giving them an opportunity to get over .500 before they play the Miami Dolphins in Week 11.
