The Las Vegas Raiders’ season has been a rollercoaster of disappointment, but after a devastating Week 10 primetime thrashing by the Denver Broncos, the front office finally swung the axe. Amid a dismal 2-7 record, the team parted ways with special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, a move that signals the first major shake-up in a campaign riddled with underperformance.
McMahon, a holdover from the Josh McDaniels era, survived the initial coaching purge but couldn’t escape the fallout from the Raiders’ special teams woes. This unit has been a glaring weak spot all season, plagued by blocked punts, costly penalties, and a surprising regression from star kicker Daniel Carlson. The Broncos game was just the latest debacle, where special teams blunders amplified an already lopsided defeat. As NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported, the Raiders had no choice but to cut ties, hoping to salvage some semblance of pride in a lost year.
It’s no shock that McMahon became the scapegoat. Unlike the fresh hires under head coach Pete Carroll, he wasn’t part of the new regime’s inner circle. While special teams flew under the radar in previous seasons, this year’s meltdowns have thrust them into the spotlight, making every miscue feel like a dagger in the team’s fragile morale. The Raiders are struggling across the board, but allowing special teams to compound their misery was a luxury they could no longer afford.
Yet, whispers around the organization suggest McMahon might not be the last to go. All eyes are now on offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, whose seat is scorching hot. Despite boasting the NFL’s highest-paid coordinator title, Kelly has overseen an anemic offense averaging just 15.4 points per game—the third-worst in the league. That’s a step backward from last season’s 18.2 points under Luke Getsy, who was shown the door mid-year. With a roster that should theoretically outperform its predecessor, Kelly’s inability to ignite any spark has fans and analysts clamoring for change. His hefty contract might buy him time for now, but in a season spiraling toward irrelevance, his job security hangs by a thread.
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Looking ahead, the offseason looms like a crossroads for the Silver and Black. Owner Mark Davis has churned through head coaches in pursuit of stability, but questions swirl about whether Pete Carroll, at 74 the oldest in NFL history, is the right fit for a full rebuild. Once a defensive mastermind who led the Seattle Seahawks to glory, Carroll’s innovative edge may have dulled with time. The Raiders entered the year with playoff aspirations, but reality has hit hard, leaving Carroll’s tenure in doubt.
General manager John Spytek might cling to his role, but a mutual parting with Carroll could pave the way for fresh blood. After all, enduring this grind can’t be enjoyable for a coach of Carroll’s stature. While it’s probable he’ll get another shot, nothing is certain in the unpredictable world of Mark Davis’ Raiders. As the team limps through the remainder of the schedule, one thing is clear: change is brewing, and the Broncos loss might just be the catalyst for a total overhaul.