How Raiders current chaos today could be problematic for LA Rams tomorrow
By Bret Stuter
Even at 3-5, the LA Rams have two of the more stable NFL front offices in the league. While we can disparage their actions at times, that continuity can certainly be taken for granted as well. And right now, we are gently reminded how important that level of continuity can be when it comes to running an NFL team.
Did you ever have a morning when you wake up to news that is so unexpected and bizarre, that you ask yourself if you overslept? As in, slept for days instead of hours type of confusion. I bring that up because today is one of those days.
Late Tuesday Night, on October 31, 2023, the Las Vegas Raiders determined that they had sufficient cause to fire not only head coach Josh McDaniels, but also general manager Dave Ziegler.
But there is even more news on that front:
How far will the Raiders turnover of coaching staff go? It's almost impossible to say right now.
While the news is certainly going to have different levels of value to Rams fans, it could pose significant problems for the LA Rams moving forward. Here's how:
III: New front office means 2024 search for GM and staff
Even though it's the least likely of possible scenarios, we know that the Detroit Lions found a keeper when they hired former LA Rams personnel executive Brad Holmes to take over as their new GM. So it is only a matter of time before another NFL team tries to fill their front office empty bucket from the LA Rams well. Of course, a new GM hire is more likely to involved casting a wide net. But, it has happened before with outstanding results. It could happen again.
II: New coaching staff means look to Rams for jumpstart to winning
The Las Vegas Raiders (3-5) are believed to be filling their head coaching role for the remainder of this season with linebacker coach Anthonion Pierce. The challenge for Pierce as the Raiders interim head coach is not just turning their season around, but in putting on an impressive enough performance to hold the inside track as the permanent head coach going forward.
As soon as the season ends, the Raiders will undoubtedly conduct a formal search for a head coach, and that will entail choosing a select group of the hottest names in the NFL Win or lose, the LA Rams could easily find one or two of their coaches in the running.
Is that a good or a bad thing? You decide. But it could mean new coaching positions to fill, and that's not a good thing.
I: Raiders can complicate the 2024 NFL Draft picture.
The Las Vegas Raiders are one of five NFL teams with a 3-5 record. As it now stands, they are in the running for a Top-10 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. If their new head coach Antonio Pierce successfully reignites the Raiders, they will will some games and could even remain in the NFL Playoffs discussion through December 2023.
But if the Raiders are in free fall, and fail to turn the corner, their draft position will steadily improve this season. If the LA Rams are equally unsuccessful in finding a more consistent way of winning, they could easily find themselves drafted after the Raiders.