Josh McDaniels was so atrocious at his job as an NFL head coach that the Las Vegas Raiders fired him less than two years into his six-year tenure.
It goes so far beyond the win-loss record when it comes to McDaniels. This guy is a Grade A a**hole to every known NFL person outside of the New England Patriots organization. The depth of his failures and egocentrism truly knows no bounds. Raiders owner Mark Davis didn’t have much to say in a tellingly brief statement about McDaniels and his GM Dave Ziegler — another New England ex-Pat — getting canned:
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 1, 2023
McDaniels had historic success piggybacking off of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady with the Patriots. He has six Super Bowl rings. Every single other stop he’s had in the NFL has been an exercise in categorical incompetence.
As a head coach, McDaniels achieved something no other man has, wearing out his welcome in an unprecedented way with not one, but two different franchises.
Josh McDaniels is the first head coach in NFL history to be fired before the end of his 2nd season for two different teams. McDaniels was fired by the #broncos after Week 13 in his 2nd season (2010)
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 1, 2023
Josh McDaniels lasted longer as #Broncos HC (694 days) than he did as #Raiders HC (639 days). https://t.co/ulUqqIGYbN pic.twitter.com/LXXfXM2feh
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 1, 2023
The Raiders signed HC Josh McDaniels to a six-year deal in January 2022.
At 1 AM ET last night, the team fired both McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler.
However, Vegas is still obligated to pay McDaniels for four full years — in addition to their remaining settlement with Jon Gruden. pic.twitter.com/UTV8oZWzzh
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 1, 2023
Since his stunning 6-0 start to his Denver Broncos tenure, McDaniels has posted a record of 14-33. That’s a winning percentage of less than 30%.
During McDaniels’ time with the Raiders alone, he blew three 17-point leads. All of them came last season with Derek Carr as his quarterback. None of those mind-boggling defeats even qualify among his most embarrassing losses in the eyes of many. Let that sink in for a second.
Josh McDaniels Raiders loss power rankings, incomplete list:
4. Christmas Eve Kenny Picket soul remover
3. Baker Mayfield two touchdowns in three minutes
after being on team two days
2. Tyson Bagent blowout
1. Jeff Saturday Sunday of Doom— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) November 1, 2023
I haven’t been here at Whiskey Riff long, yet I’ve already lit McDaniels up for losing to Tyson Bagent, and for rolling with Jimmy Garoppolo as his QB of the future at the expense of Davante Adams.
At my previous employer, I posted a blog titled, “Davante Adams Sounds Like A Man Who Knows The Raiders Are Pretty Much Doomed For At Least The 2023 Season.” That story came from this past offseason and features thoughts from Davante Adams about Jimmy G. Additionally, Davante was simply not onboard with the Raiders’ long-term vision.
“[Jimmy’s] a really cool dude, talking to him. I really haven’t been around him enough to truly know what type of leader he is…I’ve only heard good things from his teammates, though, so that’s a good thing. […] [The front office] think this is the best bet for us right now to put us in a position to be urgent. We don’t see eye-to-eye on what we think is best for us right now.”
A whole eight regular-season games later, it got real urgent. Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler have been fired. Jimmy G is bound for the bench after an NFL-leading nine interceptions.
Jimmy Garoppolo watching Josh McDaniels and Mick Lombardi leave Raiders HQ this morning pic.twitter.com/4UDEzuFloO
— RaiderRamble.com™ (@TheRaiderRamble) November 1, 2023
Another major move in Las Vegas: The #Raiders are expected to start rookie QB Aidan O'Connell this week and going forward, with Jimmy Garoppolo going to the bench. The promising O’Connell now gets his shot. pic.twitter.com/2lN5Aey5X8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2023
Davante, who saw all of this coming from a mile away with such prescient words, must be wondering what the hell his future holds after demanding a trade to the Raiders before the 2022 campaign.
Get this: Raiders players basically sat down with Davis and implored him to get McDaniels the f*ck outta Vegas.
From @GMFB: #Raiders owner Mark Davis made sweeping changes last night, thanks in part to information gathered from meetings with select veterans over the past week to learn more about the culture under Josh McDaniels. pic.twitter.com/yLoCicdqda
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2023
More intel about the decision behind firing McDaniels here from Albert Breer, who pointed to McDaniels’ call to start Brian Hoyer at quarterback as a pivotal moment.
We discussed it yesterday on the @RichEisenShow. I didn't think this would happen this soon. But I don't think people there are shocked it did, with the decision to go with Brian Hoyer in Chicago another tipping point. (More in the video below.)
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 1, 2023
I’m sure Belichick will bring McDaniels back as a “senior offensive advisor” and have Ziegler on as a “special assistant to the general manager” or some BS like that. Good for them. Not a bad idea to hitch your wagon to arguably the best coach to ever do it and not form anything resembling your own unique identity.
It’d be the best if McDaniels went on a media tour to try to enhance his public image. Watch him sweat on live TV attempting to spin his time with the Raiders in any positive light. I would actually pay a bonus subscription fee to whichever channel would air that.
In any event, good riddance, Josh McDaniels. May you never coach another NFL team again, because you’re clearly a toxic person who doesn’t deserve such an opportunity whatsoever.
