The Las Vegas Raiders have made a significant change in their coaching staff following a disappointing performance during “Thursday Night Football.” The team announced the dismissal of special teams coordinator Tom McMahon on Friday, a day after his unit’s failures contributed to a narrow 10-7 loss against the Denver Broncos.
In the matchup, a series of costly errors by the special teams proved detrimental. Punter AJ Cole had a punt blocked, while kicker Daniel Carlson missed a critical field-goal attempt in the fourth quarter that could have tied the game. This pattern of issues has been a recurring theme for the Raiders throughout the season. Earlier in the year, the team experienced a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders in Week 3, and a blocked potential game-winning field goal in a Week 4 defeat to the Chicago Bears, as well as another blocked punt in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts.
McMahon, who joined the Raiders in 2022, faced increasing scrutiny as these mishaps plagued the team’s special teams performance. His departure marks a pivotal moment for the Raiders as they seek to address their ongoing struggles.
This transition adds to the narrative of a challenging season for the Raiders, but it also opens the door for potential rejuvenation and improvement within the team. As they move forward, the Raiders will aim to regroup and strengthen their special teams unit in hopes of turning their season around.
As this situation develops, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how the Raiders address their challenges and adapt in the coming weeks.