After the Las Vegas Raiders‘ third-straight loss that dropped them to 2-7, it was clear that changes needed to be made. The special teams for Las Vegas have been a disaster this season, so special teams coordinator Tom McMahon was an obvious fall guy.
The Raiders decided to fire him the day after losing to the Denver Broncos. Luckily, the team was quick to find a replacement. The Raiders named Derius Swinton II as the interim special teams coordinator.
Fortunately, he has previous experience as a special teams coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021. He only lasted one season with the team before getting fired and hired as the Raiders’ assistant special teams coach under McMahon, and has stayed on the staff for three seasons.
Prior to joining the Chargers, Swinton had been the special teams coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2016. Other than that, he has spent much of his career as an assistant special teams coach. Swinton hasn’t had success in the lead role in the past, but the Raiders need him to help upgrade the struggling unit. Las Vegas likely has a different record right now if it weren’t for so many special teams mistakes.
Pete Carroll Releases Statement
It’s highly unlikely that firing McMahon will be the grand fix that the Raiders need. Special teams is clearly important, but the bigger problem with the team is the offense.
However, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL, so it’s not as simple to just fire him outright. Head coach Pete Carroll released a statement on why the Raiders had to cut ties with McMahon.
“Earlier today, we made the tough decision to relieve Tom McMahon of his duties as special teams coordinator,” Carroll said in a statement. “I have a great amount of respect for Tom and the work that he has done in this league, but we have decided to move in a different direction. Derius Swinton II will assume special teams coordinator duties on an interim basis and we are excited to attack the second half of this season with outstanding intent and purpose. We are grateful for Tom and his work here with the Raiders and wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
Is Kelly Next?
The Raiders are giving Kelly another chance to get the offense on track, but he has to start feeling the heat. The team has one of the worst offenses in the NFL, and it’s not like they’re without talent.
Running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers are two dynamic weapons who basically had no impact on the game against the Broncos. That should never be the case.
Also, quarterback Geno Smith has regressed in a major way under Kelly. While the players deserve some criticism, it’s Kelly who isn’t putting them in a position to succeed. If he survives the season, it’s hard to see a scenario where he’s back next year unless the offense shows some signs of improvement in the coming weeks.
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