There are much brighter days ahead for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024. The last two years were awful, and a large reason is that the regime that was brought in didn't fit. It was about the "Patriot Way" and not the "Raider Way," as it should be. With Antonio Pierce, it's back to exactly how everyone wants it.
But that regime, and the ones before it, made some decisions that will haunt the Raiders. For example, last season, they signed Jimmy Garoppolo to a huge three-year, $72 million contract, just for him to be benched and not start a game again.
And he likely won't next season unless someone gets hurt. It will haunt them because they could be using that money this offseason to make their roster even better with players who will actually play. They made another questionable move, but I wouldn't say one that will haunt the Raiders. One former player or he could even return next season as he will be a free agent, thinks the old regime messed up.
Jermaine Eluemunor had a good season playing offensive tackle for the Raiders and stepped up a few times when Kolton Miller went out. He allowed just six sacks during the year, which isn't terrible.
His former running mate, John Simpson, played for the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs, including these AFC Championship Games, where he went up against the Kansas City Chiefs. Eleumunor let everyone know the former regime was bad for letting Simpson walk.
Crazy the old regime cut a player who's now the starting LG for the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship…who woulda thought. So happy for my guy
Simpson had some good moments when he wasn't lined up against Chris Jones, the Chiefs' star defensive tackle. When he wasn't, he pretty much dominated anyone who was in front of him. However, Jones got him pretty good on a few different plays where Simpson just allowed a speed and power rush.
In 1,118 snaps, though, Simpson allowed just one sack, per PFF . So, maybe Eluemunor was on to something. He also later ended up tweeting out a throwing-up emoji when a fan replied to his original tweet with a gif of Josh McDaniels.
The new regime has some important decisions to make, and this offseason is one of the biggest ones in recent memory. This time around, Tom Telesco, the Raiders' new general manager, has full control rather than the head coach having all of the say like before.
Telesco was widely responsible for constructing the very stacked and talented roster the Los Angeles Chargers have had over the last few years. So, there are positives with the hire starting this new regime.
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