There might be big changes at top of the Las Vegas Raiders’ organization again.
After this awful season, there is a chance that the team could move away from head coach Pete Carroll (or let him walk away at the age of 74) and starting quarterback Geno Smith after just one season with the organization. They have already jettisoned offensive coordinator Chip Kelly after just 11 games.
There are compelling cases for the Raiders to cut ties with all three figures. They just simply haven’t done a good job this season. However, there is one key new figure in the organization who should, without question, be given more time and that’s general manager John Spytek and his front-office staff.
Let’s be honest, Spytek hasn’t done a good job yet, either. His fingerprints are on this mess of a season just like Carroll, Kelly and Smith.
His draft class has been underwhelming and the few moves he made in free agency hasn’t moved the needle much, either. So, this isn’t an endorsement of what Spytek has achieved in his first season as a general manager. But with that being said, there isn’t a big reason to get ride of him, either. In fact, there is major reason why Spytek should remain on the job and that’s continuity.
The Raiders needs some consistency and stability at the top of the franchise.
If Carroll is let go, the Raiders will be hiring their fourth full-time had coach since 2022 and they would be going one and done with coaches in two straight years. That’s insane and quite dysfunctional even by the standards of the Raiders during this volatile century.
Moving away from Carroll, Kelly and Smith certainly wasn’t the plan, either. All of those moves may become necessary. Getting rid of Spytek isn’t.
There needs to come stability if those moves are made. Spytek and his staff (which is well regarded) need time to build the program. Spytek and the team’s ownership will need to finally make the right call with the head coach. But he needs to be involved.
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An argument could be made that Tom Telesco didn’t deserve to be fired after one season as the team’s general manager earlier this year. So, that same move can’t happen twice.
Again, Spytek hasn’t proved he’s a good hire. But he needs time.
In a perfect world, Carroll, Kelly and Smith would have all received more time, but they have already failed enough that is is worth considering moves away from them.
If that becomes a reality, someone needs to stick around and it’s the general manager. If Spytek fails to impress after a couple of more seasons, then the time for another front-office change will come.
That time isn’t now, no matter what happens with the futures of Carroll and Smith.
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