With the Las Vegas Raiders sitting at 2-0 under interim coach Antonio Pierce, it’s hard to believe that the team found itself under very different leadership just a few weeks ago. Sure, it’s been a breath of fresh air, right? That’s especially true for those who anxiously awaited to see if owner Mark Davis would make a change. Nonetheless, both Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler made decisions that will have far-reaching implications for the Silver and Black.
With both McDaniels and Ziegler now in the rearview mirror, we can turn to the future. In that future, one has to ask: how will the duo be remembered? Right now, it’s easy to dismiss them. Trying to install the “Patriot Way” in Sin City was, in retrospect, a failure.
McDaniels compiled a 9-16 record as head coach, overseeing one of the most stagnant offenses in the NFL. Meanwhile, Ziegler, arguably, didn’t fare much better. Signing Chandler Jones to a lucrative contract and a bevy of whiffs in the draft have left a lot to be desired.
How will Raiders fans remember Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler?
Despite the aforementioned criticism, there were definitely some positives to be had. The biggest of all was that Ziegler executed one of the biggest blockbuster trades in not just Raiders history but league-wide. Acquiring Davante Adams retrospectively was a move that shifted the landscape; the Raiders would now have a legitimate superstar wideout. A receiver worthy of following in the footsteps of Tim Brown and Cliff Branch—even if Adams hasn’t had someone of the caliber of Aaron Rodgers.
Or, who knows, maybe both Ziegler and McDaniels will probably be remembered for being the guys that finally broke Derek Carr—figuratively, of course. We posed the question to you, our readers, via X. Let us know your thoughts.
Raiders fans, when you look back at the legacy of Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels, say five or maybe ten years from now, what do you think they’ll be most remembered for?
Will it be jettisoning Derek Carr or maybe the blockbuster trade for Davante Adams? Whiffing on Jalen… pic.twitter.com/vdGeab85Gi
— RaiderRamble.com™ (@TheRaiderRamble) November 18, 2023
*Top Photo: Getty Images