In his second go-round coaching the Raiders following a Super Bowl-winning stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and nine years as a “Monday Night Football” analyst, Gruden appeared to be acting very much like someone whose massive contract insulated him from second-guessing. The pick of Ferrell, meant to fill a glaring need for a pass rusher, came after Gruden had several months to assess his stunning trade of 2016 defensive player of the year Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears shortly before the 2018 season. Later that season, the Raiders dealt Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys and signaled they were in the midst of a comprehensive rebuild.

Source: Washington Post September 19, 2021 08:26 UTC