While Monday marked the official end of the Raiders’ first season in Las Vegas, it also was the starting point for one of the most critical offseasons in franchise history.
The disappointment of another late-season swoon and another playoff opportunity wasted was still fresh. But of more importance was getting a head start on the process of making sure the same thing does not happen again next season.
Specifically, fixing a defense that gave up the third-most points per game in the NFL at 29.9 and failed to hold late-game leads three times over the last seven games of the season.
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That undertaking is expected to include hiring defensive coordinator, with interim Rod Marinelli, who replaced Paul Guenther three weeks ago, expected to remain in some capacity. Marinelli was hired last offseason to coach the Raiders’ defensive line, and it’s logical he will return to that post under the new defensive leader.
