It took about three months, but Raiders owner Mark Davis clarified a major aspect of the Raiders power structure on Sunday.
Speaking at the league’s annual meeting in Orlando with Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area, Davis essentially confirmed that head coach Jon Gruden, not general manager Reggie McKenzie, is calling the shots in Oakland.
Here’s the quote from Davis that explains the relationship between Gruden and McKenzie:
“At this point in time, the role Reggie plays now is a little different than the role he played with Jack (Del Rio), a little different than his role working with Dennis (Allen). It evolves. He has built the team to where we are now, and we’re in pretty good shape with the cap and everything else. Now he has a head coach who’s going to be running this thing for the next ten years. His vision is going to be most important building what type of team we’ve got. That vision, and that direction is going to be helpful to Reggie more so than not. I think they’ll work together very well.”
McKenzie, it sounds like, has a familiar role, but final say on roster decisions seem to belong to Gruden.
“Jon’s the head coach and he’s going to be here a while, so it’s important that he gets the players he wants and builds a team he wants to build.”
After signing a $100 million contract, there was never any doubt who held the power in Oakland, but no one within the Raiders organization had ever clarified the matter.
McKenzie remains general manager, but Gruden gets what (or who) he wants wants, when he wants.
Davis seems optimistic the relationship will work, but at the very least, it’s a safe bet that Gruden’s tenure with the Raiders will outlast McKenzie’s.
What’s ironic about the move is that McKenzie is only a year removed from being named NFL executive of the year.
Gruden hasn’t coached in a decade.
Were in not for a head coach (that Davis essentially hand-picked) losing the locker room, the narrative in Oakland might look very different right now.
That’s not a criticism of anyone involved (other than maybe Del Rio), but it shows how quickly the tables can turn in the NFL.
twitter: @raidersbeat
Gruden’s GM track record in TB was horrible he needs Reggie more then Reggie needs him & better utilize McKenzie’s expertise or he will fail miserably. Together they can win championships! Go Raiders
I agree. Gruden didn’t exactly become a super star in Tampa. As a matter of fact there were those that said he tore apart Dungy’s team and couldn’t wait for him to leave. I think Gruden can fix this team short term. But have my reservations about him long term. Just like Captian Jack did in Jacksonville, and Oakland. Change the culture, turn them around. And then fall apart! I think the big difference is Gruden won’t get out coached! But his drafting??????
I see two completely different jobs. Reggie doesn’t coach, and Gruden doesn’t worry about cost. But they do have to worry about what the other needs in order to do what’s best for the team. I would give Gruden the edge on personnel too because it all comes down to performance.