Two days after falling to the Bengals in the wild card round of the playoffs, the Raiders have kicked off a search for new management, reportedly requesting interviews with the Colts and Patriots executives before informing general manager Mike Mayock he will not be retained in 2022. Mayock was technically still employed as GM when Las Vegas began targeting replacements, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, but the Raiders decided to make a change "days ago," around the time of their playoff loss, finally announcing Mayock's official dismissal Monday night.
In bidding Mayock farewell, the Raiders have sought interviews with Patriots director of player personnel Dave Ziegler and Colts executive Ed Dobbs for their GM position, according to NFL Media. This comes hours after they reportedly also requested to interview Patriots defensive assistant Jerod Mayo for their head coaching job, currently held by interim Rich Bisaccia.
Mayock was expected to face scrutiny from owner Mark Davis entering the 2021 season, following two straight years of no playoff appearances alongside coach Jon Gruden, who resigned in October amid an email scandal related to the NFL's investigation into the Washington Football Team.
The Raiders did improve in each of Mayock's seasons as GM, going from 4-12 the year before his arrival, 7-9 in his debut, 8-8 in 2020 and 10-7 in 2021. But Las Vegas also struggled to identify or develop top draft choices and has still not advanced in the postseason since its Super Bowl run in 2002. The team also endured a number of off-field issues with players Mayock helped acquire, notably cutting Antonio Brown, Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette over separate controversies.
With Mayock's departure, the Raiders could soon be looking at a total overhaul. Bisaccia has received endorsements from players and staff in the wake of his run as Gruden's fill-in, but the team has already begun exploring replacements. Quarterback Derek Carr, meanwhile, is under contract through 2022 but could be traded or released without penalty.
