When Raiders owner Mark Davis gave Jon Gruden a 10-year, $100 million deal to return as the franchise’s coach in 2018, it was clear Gruden would be the top person in charge. But that doesn’t mean Gruden didn’t need any help and partnership.
After a year on the job, Gruden executed that plan by surprising the league and hiring Mike Mayock of the NFL Network as general manager at the conclusion of the 2018 season. Gruden inherited general manager Reggie McKenzie when he was hired. Gruden and McKenzie had a long relationship, but in the NFL, when someone new is brought in to be in charge and the previous person in charge is still there, it is just a matter of time before there is change.