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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Raiders‘ shake-up: Josh McDaniels’ departure and its costly consequences. A multimillion-dollar gamble, an unraveling team, and the costly decisions that changed it all. In a recent ESPN expose, Jeremy Fowler reveals behind-the-scenes turmoil that led to the abrupt departure of head coach McDaniels from the Las Vegas Raiders.

Sources close to the team revealed that some players expressed feeling “overworked,” prompting a direct appeal to team owner Mark Davis. This discontent proved instrumental in the decision to not only part ways with McDaniels, but also bid farewell to general manager Dave Ziegler and other key staff members.

Key reasons behind Raiders’ Mark Davis’ bold move

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Despite McDaniels’ lucrative six-year contract signed with the Raiders in January 2022, severing ties comes at a staggering cost. Reportedly, owner Mark Davis is prepared to shell out approximately $85 million in the wake of this shake-up.

According to ESPN reporter Fowler, Mark Davis took decisive action, citing poor team performance and a lack of clear direction as the primary catalysts for the terminations. The report emphasizes McDaniels’ struggles with essential “people skills” and “culture,” issues that have persistently plagued him throughout his coaching career.

Fowler’s report underscores the significance of these shortcomings, stating, “People skills and culture were primary issues — and ones that essentially plagued McDaniels in two coaching stops.” Players, at times, felt the weight of being “overworked.”

With a record of 9-16 under McDaniels’ leadership, the Raiders were heading down a troublesome path. Sources indicate that the decision to dismiss McDaniels and Ziegler was sealed after a disheartening 30-12 loss to the Bears, compounded by the unexpected emergence of undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent on Oct. 22.

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Counting wins, not dollars

Notably, Raiders players had rallied behind interim coach Rich Bisaccia both before and after the critical loss. McDaniels’ decision to bench quarterback Derek Carr, in a bid to protect him from a potentially contract-triggering injury, resulted in Carr’s departure from the team before the season’s end. When McDaniels attempted to trade him post-season, Carr exercised his no-trade clause, compelling the Raiders to release him without compensation.

READ MORE – Amid Josh McDaniels’s Brutal Firing, Tom Brady Unveils the Harsh Reality of NFL to Raiders

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The aftermath of these decisions bears a hefty financial burden, with Davis facing an approximate $85 million bill. Yet, sources within the organization assert that Davis is more concerned with assembling a winning team than counting costs. This week’s shake-up underscores his unwavering commitment to building a triumphant franchise, regardless of the financial implications.

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