The Las Vegas Raiders 2020 offseason is beginning to take shape. Although they have not made many roster moves, they did part ways with defensive line coach Brentson Buckner.
The reason for getting ride of Buckner despite the Raiders’ defensive line being much-improved in 2019 was so Jon Gruden could reunite with a seasoned veteran coach in Rod Marinelli.
Marinelli has 24 years of coaching experience under his belt, spending the last seven years with the Dallas Cowboys. Marinelli had been the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys since 2014 but previously served as their defensive line coach.
Marinelli has been a defensive line coach for much of his career, including with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Gruden was the head coach. According to Gruden, although Buckner was great for the team’s young defensive linemen, Marinelli has already earned his way into the Hall of Fame, via Raiders.com:
“You know that was a tough one because I think [Brentson] Buckner is a good coach, really good coach, but I just happen to think Marinelli is the best in the world at what he does and having worked with him and seeing him with players. We have a lot of young guys. He’s a Hall of Fame coach if you ask me. He has a great presence about him, he has a great leadership trait. His technical way to help players is incredible and I think Arden Key, [Clelin] ‘Cle’ Ferrell, Maxx Crosby, P.J. Hall, [Maurice]’Mo’ Hurst, all our young guys are really going to benefit from Marinelli, like everybody else has.”
Despite being a rather young group, the Raiders’ defensive line was one of their strongest units last season. Maxx Crosby led the team and quickly became a breakout star despite being a fourth-round draft pick.
More than Crosby, many are hoping that Clelin Ferrell will continue to grow and get better in his second season. Although his rookie season was not terrible, many expected more from the No. 4 overall pick out of Clemson. Hopefully, all of Marinelli’s experience can help the entire defensive line grow.
Marinelli’s arrival to the Raiders is the biggest change for the team so far this offseason. Of course, with the NFL Scouting Combine well underway and free agency just around the corner, the Raiders are likely deciding who they should bring in next.
