Mark

Davis

According to Reed, the Raiders held second interviews with interim GM Champ Kelly, former Chargers GM Tom Telesco, and Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds. Reed also adds that owner Mark Davis “expressed hesitation” about hiring a rookie GM and head coach, which could tilt the job in Telesco’s favor. Telesco last served as the Chargers’ GM from 2013 through 2023 and was fired last December when the team also opted to cut ties with coach Brandon Staley.

These reports are from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. As Pelissero notes, Brown is “regarded around the league as a sharp, diverse, and well-rounded candidate and has been to Super Bowls with multiple teams.” In regards to Gray, the Bills director of player personnel was promoted to his position in 2022 and first joined the Bills in 2017. This is the first time Gray and Brown’s names have popped up in GM discussion this offseason, but it’s possible other teams will add them to their search in the coming days.

Both teams have additions to the Hall of Fame this year. Former Jaguars tackle Tony Boselli and former Raiders defensive lineman Richard Seymour were selected, and former Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch was added as a seniors candidate. The game will feature a coaching debut for both teams, with both Doug Pederson and Josh McDaniels kicking off their second stint as head coaches.

This had been reported, but it is now official. Vegas will also be the site of the 2022 Pro Bowl and the 2022 NFL Draft. New Orleans was originally going to host this Super Bowl, but they had to move out of the spot after the NFL added a 17th game to the schedule. New Orleans will now host Super Bowl 59 in 2025.

Aside from sharing Levi’s Stadium with the 49ers, this was the Raiders’ only realistic option. The deal also includes a team option for 2020, but the team’s new digs in Las Vegas are expected to be ready by then.

The deal also included a team option for 2020, but the Raiders’ facility in Las Vegas is expected to be ready by then. The deal still has to be voted on by three different public entities, but that is considered a formality. It was a bumpy ride, but the Raiders will get one more season in Oakland.

Scott McKibben, the executive director of the Coliseum Authority believes a deal could be reached within the next week. “I am cautiously optimistic that I believe that we will get a deal done, yes,” he reiterated on Friday. McKibben expects to continue negotiations with team president Marc Badain in hopes of securing a deal that would keep the Raiders in Oakland for at least 2019 with an option to remain in 2020 should construction of the team’s new stadium in Las Vegas be delayed.

“I will confirm that we, late last week, started sitting down and talking with the Raiders about the potential of a 2019 season deal,” were the words of Scott McKibben, the executive director of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority. “In my view, the discussions have been meaningful and productive.” The Raiders refused to confirm. There had been a report the Raiders would play in the San Francisco Giants’ Oracle Park, but the 49ers ultimately denied permission for the Silver and Black to play in their territory. One more year in Oakland before the move to Vegas makes by far the most sense.

Oracle is the new corporate sponsor for a stadium that had been named AT&T Park up until a few weeks ago. Per Mathai, the deal will be officially announced this week. It is not exactly an ideal solution. The Raiders are bouncing from one baseball stadium to another, only this one is not a true dual-use park. Oracle hosts a yearly bowl game and that’s it. The Raiders’ Vegas digs will supposedly be ready in 2020. We’ll see.

The San Diego County Credit Union Stadium has been vacant since the Chargers left after 2016, but apparently playing there won’t be an option for the Raiders, who are seeking a temporary home while their new stadium in Las Vegas is still being built. Goodell said he’s hopeful the Raiders will remain in the Bay Area for 2019, though the city of Oakland’s ongoing lawsuit against the team could make that difficult.