After finishing the NFL regular season with a record of 3-14, the Las Vegas Raiders will select with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and will almost certainly take Fernando Mendoza.
Struggles are nothing new for the Raiders and have been their storyline for the past few seasons, leading to criticism from former employees of owner Mark Davis.
Former Raiders Employees Compare Mark Davis to His Father
Since 2011, the Raiders have a total record of 94-151, which aligns with the year Davis took over the team’s commanding role from his father, Al Davis.
The organization had all of its success under Al Davis, who spent in some type of leadership role for 49 years. In his leadership, the Raiders had 29 winning seasons and won three Super Bowls. He held several roles, including head coach, general manager, and principal owner.
Following Al Davis’ death in 2011, his son Mark took over. Since taking over the team, the Raiders have had no significant accolades or accomplishments, leading former employees to call out the heir to the Raiders organization.
Zak Keefer of The Athletic spoke with former Raiders employees and reported that Mark “was as hands-off as they come, sleeping in most mornings and never involving himself in personnel decisions.”
“He has no idea what he’s doing,” one former staffer told Keefer. “He thinks just like a fan.”
Another former Raiders employee added, “In a way, he’s great to work for because he lets you do your thing. But he’s nothing like his dad. He doesn’t know anything football. ‘Oh, my dad liked fast guys? Where are all the fast guys?’ … It was all about The Raider Way. That thinking is so archaic. It’s not even relevant anymore. They gotta be good football players, too.”
Since 2011, the Raiders have been atrocious on both offense and defense.
According to PFSN’s NFL Offensive Impact Metric, the Raiders finished the 2025 season with an impact score of 56.3 and a letter grade of F, which is their worst season since 2011. Since 2011, they have had an average impact score of 73.0, which equates to a C grade.
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Similarly, according to PFSN’s NFL Defensive Impact Metric, the Raiders finished the 2025 season with an impact score of 70.9 and a letter grade of C-. Since 2011, they have had an average impact score of 68.4, which equates to a letter grade of D+.
The Raiders have drafted a number of talented players over the last couple of years and will draft their (hopeful) franchise quarterback in Mendoza. If the organization misses and makes no substantial steps, what does it mean for Mark Davis?
