The Las Vegas Raiders have been through a lot of turmoil in the past couple of years.
Last year, the expectations were high but a slow start caused the team to finish near the bottom of the league. With new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the Raiders are looking to improve in 2023. They will have to do it without a longtime staple of the team, as long-snapper Trent Sieg was released and reportedly the players are not happy.
It may not seem like a big deal, but to the Raiders it is. Kicker Daniel Carlson and punter AJ Cole have had enjoyed much success with Sieg as the long-snapper. Teammates saw how good the unit was and according to The Athletic’s Vic Tarfur, they are not happy about the release.
“There was some surprise and anger among players when the Raiders signed former Broncos long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer and released five-year veteran Trent Sieg, who is extremely close with wildly successful kicker Daniel Carlson and punter Cole. Why break up the trio when they are doing so well together?”
It wasn’t like Sieg was a highly paid player and was cut due to cap concerns. So why was he released?
The consensus around the organization is that special teams coach Tom McMahon wanted Bobenmoyer. He spent some time in Denver and liked him there. This happens often in sports. Coaches have a certain player that they like, so they do everything they can to bring in their own guys. In this case, it may backfire. If there are problems on special teams next year, many players may be placing blame on management’s decision to get rid of Sieg.
The Raiders have a tall task ahead of them. They are in the same division as the Chiefs and Chargers. In the conference, the Dolphins, Bills, Jets, Jaguars, Ravens, Steelers and Bengals are all tough teams. Josh McDaniels could already be in trouble if things do not turn around in 2023.
More must-reads: