2 weeks ago
10
The Las Vegas Raiders have fired Special Teams Coordinator Tom McMahon in the wake of their dismal form during the NFL season.
The Raiders fell to 2-7 after suffering defeat against the Denver Broncos on Thursday night, which proved to be the final straw for Tom Brady and the Vegas chiefs.
It was confirmed on Friday afternoon, by NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, that McMahon had been dismissed from his role, amid a 'significant' move from the Raiders.
The report also noted that McMahon and Raiders head coach Pete Carroll were seen 'having words' on the sidelines during the 10-7 loss to Denver.
However, in wake of McMahon's firing, fans quickly poured onto social media to question the decision and insist the Raiders' Special Team was performing well.
Taking to X, one confused fan wrote: 'Special teams is their only bright spot dawg'.
The Las Vegas Raiders have fired Special Teams Coordinator Tom McMahon (pictured)
The Las Vegas suffered their seventh defeat in just nine NFL games so far this season
Defeat to the Broncos proved to be the final straw for Brady and the Raiders chiefs
Another wrote: 'Their punter literally carried them'.
'He’s the only coach who showed up,' another wrote with a string of 'laughing emojis'.
Meanwhile, one user said: 'Yeah...a 10-7 loss was on the special teams coordinator'.
Overall, it was a brutal night for the Raiders' offense as it produced just 188 yards, condemning Las Vegas to a 2-7 record on the year.
To make matters worse, quarterback Geno Smith, who ended his night with 143 passing yards and an interception, was injured on the first play of the fourth quarter when he tried to scramble past Denver star Nik Bonitto.
The linebacker got a hand on Smith's right knee, and Smith took several more awkward steps before falling to the ground and being landed on by Malcolm Roach.
Smith was briefly replaced by Kenny Pickett before returning to the game - though he was soon after deemed questionable to return with a left quad issue.
And on top of Smith's injury, Raiders guards Dylan Parham and Jackson Powers-Johnson both left the game with ankle ailments, with the latter set for an extended stretch on the sidelines according to coach Pete Carroll.
Fans rushed to social media to question the decision to fire the Special Teams coach
McMahon had been with the Raiders since 2022, having previously been at the Broncos
Next time out, the Raiders will host the Cowboys on Monday Night Football - though it's unclear if Smith will be available.
It's been a difficult season thus far for the 35-year-old, who signed a two-year, $75million extension with the team in April after being traded from Seattle the following month.
He now leads all NFL passers with 12 interceptions on the year - though he appeared to have turned a corner in Las Vegas' overtime loss last week against the Jaguars.
In that game, he threw for 284 yards and four touchdowns with one interception, as Jacksonville managed to eke out a 30-29 win.
