Maxx Crosby imposes fear on the opposition, but did the Las Vegas Raiders put him at a disadvantage with a decision from this offseason? One anonymous NFL executive believes acquiring Chandler Jones, who had a subpar Year 1, was a mistake.
Furthermore, another anonymous NFL executive questioned the Raiders’ head coach Josh McDaniels’ system, which has alienated wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. The Silver and Black’s opponents are looking to neutralize Josh Jacobs, so the passing game needs to involve all the weapons.
SI’s Hondo S. Carpenter, Sr. spoke with two NFL team executives, and with the cloak of anonymity, they had plenty to say about the Raiders. Let’s dive into the details.
Was letting go of Yannick Ngakoue a mistake for the Raiders?
Any team facing Las Vegas is circling Crosby to ensure the pass rusher doesn’t blow up their offensive game plan. The 2021 NFL season saw the Raiders have Yannick Ngakoue playing alongside “Mad Maxx.” Ngakoue registered 10 sacks in his lone with the Silver and Black
The following offseason, the Raiders traded the former third-round selection in 2016 to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. Afterward, Las Vegas signed Chandler Jones to a three-year contract. This decision by the front office continues to confuse one NFL executive.
“I never understood letting Yannick Ngakoue go for Jones,” the anonymous executive said. “You let a prime defensive end in his twenties go for a guy in his thirties, and I think Yannick was better? That’s on the Raiders. That move was a Patriot-type move; you get a guy you know because you know him. I know that move shocked many people around the league, and it was a bad move.”
Ngakoue registered 9.5 sacks with the Indianapolis Colts; meanwhile, Jones only registered four in his first season with the Raiders. Additionally, hindsight is now 20-20 with Jones on the Non-Football Illness list for his bizarre behavior, which began late in the preseason.
The 28-year-old Ngakoue only spent one season with the Colts and signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears this offseason. He has one sack through three games in 2023, so he’s still contributing to a bad Bears team. This move by the Raiders could be questioned if Ngakoue replicates his production from last season, considering he complimented Crosby so well.
So what do you say, Raiders fans? Were you on board upon Jones’ arrival? Or are you still pondering why the Silver and Black let go of Ngakoue? Let us know.
NFL executive questions Josh McDaniels’ use of Hunter Renfrow
Opposing NFL defenses are circling in on Josh Jacobs and forcing Jimmy Garoppolo to beat them. The 25-year-old running back has yet to register a 100-rushing yard game through three contests this season, putting pressure on “Jimmy G” to make defenses pay for prioritizing the run.
However, the veteran signal-caller and the passing game have struggled, resulting in a 1-2 record, and one NFL executive is confused by the lack of contribution from Renfrow. After a disappointing 2022 campaign, the 27-year-old pass catcher eyed a bounce-back 2023, but that’s not happening so far.
“You can’t have Hunter Renfrow not involved,” the anonymous executive said. “You just can’t. Josh [McDaniels] has an entire system for getting rid of the ball quickly, and with teams moving so many guys up to make it clear that Josh Jacobs won’t beat them, Jimmy (Garoppolo) is making his reads and, under duress, he, like most quarterbacks, doesn’t make great decisions. Teams are daring the Raiders to beat them with Jimmy.”
Through three games, Renfrow has recorded three receptions for 40 receiving yards. The former fifth-round pick also went without a target in the Week 1 win over the Denver Broncos. Currently, there are no signs that Renfrow will be getting out of this funk if his first three games are any indicator.
Jakobi Meyers’ arrival also sees “Jimmy G” look for the former New England Patriot often, which doesn’t bode well for Renfrow. So the newest Raiders signing is emerging as the No. 2 wide receiver behind Davante Adams.
Still, there are plenty of games left this season. Can Renfrow get back on track? Or will he even be on the team with the NFL trade deadline approaching on Oct. 31?
*Top Photo: Raiders.com
Yeah more bad moves by the coach and GM. Just like the previous coaches and GM’s the last 15+ years. So you really cant gauge anything by that because MOST other teams have the same problems.
So what gauge do you use to determine whether to keep your coach and GM?
The gauge to use is: Are we better and are we making progress? Or are we standing still or worse…regressing?
The answer so far with coach this year is regressing. Last year was a stand-still year. He has now been here long enough we should be seeing some kind of progress…NOT regressing.
Just use the hurry up offense with a good defense Garoppolo, good at that and open up the field and get the rain back going spread the line
The thinking behind the Ngakoue trade was correct, i.e. you get roughly similar production from Jones AND a starting cornerback for the price of Ngakoue. It didn’t work out, but I’m okay with the thought process behind the decision. Plus, I suspect there is a reason that despite his production Ngakoue gets traded every year.
I also think the Renfrow thing is self evident. As the article stated, the Raiders need to get rid of the ball quickly. Renfrow’s game is making triple and quadruple fakes to get open. There isn’t time for him to finish his route even when there is time for the QB to get to his second or third read. They’re not good up front and Jimmy G has been horrible under pressure. That’s a bad combination. It’s going to be a long year.
Sell the team, Mark. Everything you’ve done has made the team worse. Including your move to LV. Now the Raiders are the only team without a home field advantage. None of your GM hires has panned out!
Renfroe to Jax.
Ngakoue trade was ridiculous. We had him under contract for a lot cheaper than what we paid Jones, and he complimented Maxx, actually had more sacks than Maxx, the season we had him. Jones looked old and slow last year. He was easily pushed out of plays and missed tackles, one of which led to his famous touchdown.
Renfrow was a 1000+ yard receiver before mcdufus came. Last year he struggled with injuries but this year Jimmy is looking at Devante and Myers. He’s not even looking to the tight end either. Until the steelers game he hadn’t been sacked, so he’s not running for his life. He doesn’t have much zip when it comes out. Hopefully Hoyer or O’Conner can see more of the field because defenses are looking to light up Devante and Jimmy is going to get him hurt.
I didn’t think it was possible for this team to regress. But, somehow it has! This team is a train wreck, period. Any thing Mark does to this team makes it worse. 30+ years of mediocre to incompetent football is enough. NFL, please force Davis to sell this team to a competent ownership.