After the passing of Raiders owner Al Davis, coach Hue Jackson inherited significant power and influence over the football operation. With the arrival of G.M. Reggie McKenzie, plenty of the juice will shift to McKenzie.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, McKenzie will have one additional piece of authority, via his contract with the team — the ability to fire Jackson.
Although McKenzie and Jackson are jointly represented by agent Kennard McGuire, there’s a sense in some circles that McKenzie will want to hire his own man. Earlier today, Chris Mortensen of ESPN suggested that Packers assistant head coach/inside linebackers coach Winston Moss could succeed Jackson, who has coached the Raiders for only one season.
It’s believed that Jackson has damaged his stock in Oakland via statements made in the wake of Sunday’s home loss to the Chargers, which caused the Raiders to miss the postseason for the ninth straight year. To stay, Jackson will have to submit to the new structure and accept the fact that his influence as to football matters necessarily will diminish.