The Las Vegas Raiders are determined to turn the corner next season and make a leap into the realm of AFC contenders. While much of the focus goes toward the roster, changes to the coaching staff under head coach Josh McDaniels can also make a huge difference.
For the Raiders in this instance, they are bringing on a new offensive assistant who is very much familiar with the team’s offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi. In fact, the team will be hiring his younger brother, Matt Lombardi, as an offensive assistant and assistant wide receivers coach according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network:
The #Raiders are hiring Matt Lombardi as an offensive assistant/assistant WRs coach, per source. Lombardi — younger brother of OC Mick Lombardi — spent the past three seasons with the #Panthers.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 16, 2023
Matt Lombardi has spent the last three seasons with the Carolina Panthers under Matt Rhule as their assistant quarterbacks coach. He had also previously spent time with Rhule’s staff at Baylor for two seasons in 2017 and 2018 as their offensive quality control coach followed by a one-year stint with the Miami Dolphins in the same position, before reuniting with Rhule in Carolina.
Now with the Raiders, Lombardi will be looking to get the most out of a talented group, albeit one that was relatively inconsistent outside of star Davante Adams. Hunter Renfrow was hampered with injuries throughout the year, leading to his worst season as a pro while Mack Hollins flashed some potential, but did not produce regularly.
The ongoing question for the Raiders continues to be who will be under center for them once the 2023 season begins. There have been a lot of rumors surrounding the possibility of trading for Aaron Rodgers, but the team also has the means to find their signal-caller via free agency or the NFL Draft.
Whatever the case, the coaching staff has now added another mind to help get the Raiders over the hump and back into the playoffs.
Raiders looking to trade or release veterans who don’t fit Josh McDaniels’ mold?
With head coach Josh McDaniels continuing to tinker with the coaching staff, there are also questions about the roster and who will be in silver and black going forward.
Recent reports suggest that the Raiders could look into trading or releasing certain veteran players who don’t fit the mold of what McDaniels is looking for. No players were specifically named, but the Raiders will be a team to watch as they figure out the best way to operate moving forward.
