After a few weeks of uncertainty, new Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rip is finally rounding out his staff. The Raiders hired Bill Musgrave as their new offensive coordinator last night, according to Michael Silver of the NFL Network. Oakland confirmed the report shortly after.
Musgrave is somewhat of a familiar face. He began his career as quarterbacks coach for the Raiders back in 1997. In the ensuing years, he has worked as the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars (where Del Rio coached from 2003 to 2011) and Minnesota Vikings. He spent this past season as quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Raiders had been rumored to be keen on Denver Broncos OC Adam Gase, though that became unlikely as Gase interviewed for the same position with the Baltimore Ravens yesterday. Former Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman had also been mentioned as a possible candidate, but it is rumored that he turned Oakland down.
Musgrave, 47, has his work cut out for him this season. The Raiders ranked last in the NFL in yards per game (282.2) and second-to-last in points per game (15.8). However, rookie second-round pick Derek Carr impressed enough to be considered a potential franchise quarterback by ESPN NFL draft insider Mel Kiper Jr. Kiper predicts the Raiders will select Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper to aid Carr's development.
"...the Raiders have also likely found their franchise quarterback in Derek Carr, and they really need to add a high-level wide receiver in that offense," Kiper wrote.
Technically, Oakland still hasn't fired offensive coordinator Greg Olson. However, it is expected that Olson will either accept a demotion or be released from his contract now that Musgrave is officially on board.
If Musgrave can help Carr develop and the Raiders add an offensive talent such as Cooper in the draft (the team is also slated to have roughly $50 million in cap space this offseason), the makings of a decent offense could be in place in Oakland next season.
