Raiders players can’t help but tell the world how miserable they have been under coach Josh McDaniels.
Second-year tight end Michael Mayer didn’t specifically mention his former coach, but he sounded like a prisoner experiencing freedom for the first time as he discussed the pre- and post-McDaniels era.
“My mental state this year, my attitude, everything was fine with last year, but this year is different. It’s different. I’m much happier, more positive and I love being on this field. I love football. I love doing that. That’s my job.” Meyer said. “We definitely flipped the script a little bit.
“Last year, there may have been days where I didn’t want to come out or something didn’t go my way, but I changed my mindset. Now I have to give it my all, play, win games, and do what I have to do for this team.” It’s time to do something. My rookie year is over. I’ve already looked back on it and I don’t even think about it anymore.”
Raiders players were not shy about voicing their displeasure with McDaniels, who was fired midway through his second season with the team.
“It’s going to get better from here,” star receiver Davante Adams said after McDaniels’ exit and danced in the locker room after the win over the Jets.
A reporter for The Athletic described the team’s locker room this way:This may have been the happiest locker room I’ve ever been in.This comes after McDaniels was replaced by Antonio Pierce, who was then the interim head coach and is now the full-time head coach.
Players have been effusive in their praise of Pierce since the McDaniels fiasco, and that good vibe appears to be continuing into Pierce’s first full season as head coach.
Meyer, a second-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2023, had a quiet first year with 27 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns.
He was more direct in his criticism of McDaniels, offering heaps of praise for new offensive coordinator Luke Getzy’s system compared to last year’s under his helm.
“I think it’s a little bit simpler. It’s easier to understand,” Mayer said. Per ESPN.
Meyer’s renewed optimism comes amid uncertainty about how he will be used this year, considering the team added top tight end Brock Bowers with the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It appears even though it is there.
“How do I stop it? [us]”Brock’s really fast and I’m getting a little faster too,” Meyer said, according to ESPN. “And I think there’s a lot of things. First of all, in the run game, Brock’s going to help me with his blocking. But then, who’s going to guard both of us? What if you put a backer here and a little safety here? I’m a big guy and Brock’s a big guy, so it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
