The Las Vegas Raiders have dismissed their head coach, Josh McDaniels, and general manager, David Ziegler, following a disappointing start to the 2023-24 season. The team's offensive coordinator, Mick Lombardi, has also reportedly been relieved of his duties. The Raiders, who started the season with a 3-5 record, have been struggling on the offensive side, failing to score at least 20 points in eight of their past nine games. This has led to public dissatisfaction from some players, including star wide receiver Davante Adams.
McDaniels and Ziegler had joined the Raiders in January 2022, leaving the New England Patriots. Despite significant changes to the team, including the signing of several players with ties to the Patriots, the Raiders failed to replicate the success they had hoped for. McDaniels, in his second stint as a head coach after previously being fired from the Denver Broncos, had a 9-16 record over one and a half seasons with the Raiders. Ziegler, who replaced former general manager Mike Mayock, also joined the Raiders in 2022.
In the wake of the dismissals, linebackers coach Antonio Pierce is expected to be named interim head coach, with assistant general manager Champ Kelly stepping in as interim GM. The Raiders are set to host the New York Giants on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Patriots, under new coordinator and quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien, rank second-worst in the league at 14.8 points per game.