Editing Las Vegas Raiders (section)

==History==
{{See also|History of the Las Vegas Raiders|Oakland Raiders|Los Angeles Raiders}}
{{NFL Raiders history}}

=== First Oakland era (1960–1981) ===
<!-- NOTE DO NOT ADDED AL DAVIS IMAGES BECAUSE VIOLATIONS -->
The Oakland Raiders were originally going to be called the "Oakland Señors"<ref>"Grid Team Named-- They're Senors", ''Oakland Tribune'', April 5, 1960, p37. Soda said, "My own personal choice would have been Mavericks, but I believe we came up with a real fine name." The selection committee narrowed the choices down to Admirals, Lakers, Diablos, Seawolves, Gauchos, Nuggets, Señors, Dons, Costers, Grandees, Sequoias, Missiles, Knights, Redwoods, Clippers, Jets and Dolphins.</ref> after a name-the-team contest had that name finish first, but after being the target of local jokes, the name was changed to the Raiders before the 1960 season began.<ref name="o552">{{cite web | last=Becker | first=Jon | title=On this date, April 14: Why Oakland team changed from Señors to Raiders | website=The Mercury News | date=2020-04-14 | url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/14/on-this-date-april-14-when-oakland-had-to-change-it-was-adios-senors-hello-raiders/ | access-date=2024-08-10}}</ref> Having enjoyed a successful collegiate coaching career at [[United States Naval Academy|Navy]] during the 1950s, San Francisco native [[Eddie Erdelatz]] was hired as the Raiders' first head coach. On February 9, 1960, after rejecting offers from the NFL's [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]] and the AFL's [[Los Angeles Chargers]], Erdelatz accepted the Raiders' head coaching position. In January 1960, the Raiders were established in Oakland, and, because of NFL interference with the original eighth franchise owner, were the last team of eight in the new [[American Football League]] to select players, thus relegated to the remaining talent available (see below).

The [[1960 Oakland Raiders season|1960 Raiders]] 42-man roster included 28 rookies and only 14 veterans. Among the Raiders rookies were future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee center [[Jim Otto]] and future Raiders head coach, quarterback [[Tom Flores]]. In their debut year under Erdelatz, the [[1960 Oakland Raiders season|Raiders]] finished with a 6–8 record and a 3rd-place finish in the AFL West Division.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1960 Oakland Raiders Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1960.htm |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

On September 18, 1961, Erdelatz was dismissed after the Raiders were outscored 77–46 in the first two games of the season. On September 24, 1961, after the dismissal of Erdelatz, management named Los Angeles native and offensive line coach [[Marty Feldman (American football coach)|Marty Feldman]] as the Raiders head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1961-09-19 |title=Raiders Drop Erdelatz as Coach; Feldman Takes Over American League Eleven on Coast Action Follows 55-0 and 44-0 Losses in First 2 Games |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/09/19/archives/raiders-drop-erdelatz-as-coach-feldman-takes-over-american-league.html |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The team finished the 1961 season with a 2–12 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1961 Oakland Raiders Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1961.htm |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

Feldman began the [[1962 Oakland Raiders season|1962 season]] as Raiders head coach but was fired on October 16, 1962, after an 0–5 start. From October 16 through December, the Raiders were coached by Oklahoma native and former assistant coach [[Red Conkright]]. Under Conkright, the Raiders went 1–8, finishing the season with 1–13 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1962 Oakland Raiders Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/1962.htm |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Following the 1962 season the Raiders appointed Conkright to an interim mentor position as they looked for a new head coach.

After the 1962 season, Raiders managing general partner [[F. Wayne Valley]] hired Al Davis as Raiders head coach and general manager. At 33, he was the youngest person in professional football history to hold the positions.<ref name="youngest">{{cite web |url=http://www.raiders.com/history/gm11.jsp |title=Raiders Stun Chargers with 33-Point 4th Quarter Outburst |access-date=February 4, 2007 |work=Raiders.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230172729/http://www.raiders.com/history/gm11.jsp |archive-date=December 30, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Davis immediately began to implement what he termed the "vertical game", an aggressive offensive strategy inspired by the offense developed by Chargers head coach [[Sid Gillman]].<ref name="gillman">{{cite web |url=http://www.chargers.com/news/headlines/news-104158080019831.htm |title=Memories of Sid Gillman |access-date=February 1, 2007 |work=Chargers.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929090813/http://www.chargers.com/news/headlines/news-104158080019831.htm |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Under Davis the [[1963 Oakland Raiders season|Raiders]] improved to 10–4 and he was named the AFL's Coach of the Year in 1963. Though the team slipped to 5–7–2 in [[1964 Oakland Raiders season|1964]], they rebounded to an 8–5–1 record in [[1965 Oakland Raiders season|1965]]. The famous silver and black Raider uniform debuted at the regular season-opening game on September 7, 1963. Prior to this, the team wore a combination of black and white with gold trim on the pants and oversized numerals.

In April 1966 Davis left the Raiders after being named AFL Commissioner, promoting assistant coach [[John Rauch]] to head coach. Two months later, the league announced its [[AFL–NFL merger|merger with the NFL]].

The leagues would retain separate regular seasons until [[1970 NFL season|1970]]. With the merger, the position of commissioner was no longer needed, and Al Davis entered into discussions with Valley about returning to the Raiders. On July 25, 1966, Davis returned as part-owner of the team. He purchased a 10% interest in the team for $18,000 ({{Inflation|US|18000|1966|fmt=eq}}), and became the team's third general partner. He also became head of football operations.<ref name="burke">{{cite magazine |last=Burke |first=Monte |title=A New Test For an Old Raider |magazine=Forbes Magazine |date=September 18, 2006 |url=https://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2006/0918/112.html |access-date=January 25, 2007 |archive-date=October 18, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018050103/http://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2006/0918/112.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Dickey, Just Win, Baby, p. 41">Dickey, ''Just Win, Baby'', p. 41.</ref>

Under Rauch, the Raiders matched their 1965 season's 8–5–1 record in [[1966 Oakland Raiders season|1966]] but missed the playoffs, finishing second in the AFL West Division.

==== AFL champions (1967) ====
On the field, the team Davis had assembled steadily improved. Led by quarterback [[Daryle Lamonica]],<ref name="b621">{{cite web | last=Shrake | first=Edwin | title=A big raid that really paid off | website=Sports Illustrated Vault | date=1967-11-13 | url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1967/11/13/a-big-raid-that-really-paid-off | access-date=2024-08-10}}</ref> acquired in a trade with the [[Buffalo Bills]], the Raiders finished the [[1967 Oakland Raiders season|1967 season]] with a 13–1 record and won the [[1967 American Football League Championship Game|1967 AFL Championship]], defeating the [[1967 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]] 40–7. The win earned the team a trip to the [[Miami Orange Bowl|Orange Bowl]] in Miami, Florida to participate in [[Super Bowl II]]. On January 14, 1968, the Raiders were defeated in the second-ever Super Bowl, losing 33–14 to [[Vince Lombardi]]'s [[1967 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]].<ref name="o942">{{Cite news |last=Brady |first=Dave |date=1968-01-14 |title=Super Bowl II: Packers Dominate Super Bowl, 33-14 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nfl/longterm/superbowl/stories/sb2.htm |access-date=2024-08-10 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>

The following year, the [[1968 Oakland Raiders season|Raiders]] ended the [[1968 AFL season|1968 season]] with a 12–2 record and again winning the AFL West Division title. They lost 27–23 to the [[1968 New York Jets season|New York Jets]] in the [[1968 American Football League Championship Game|AFL Championship Game]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Championship - Oakland Raiders at New York Jets - December 29th, 1968 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196812290nyj.htm |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

Citing management conflicts with day-to-day coaching decisions, Rauch resigned as Raiders head coach on January 16, 1969, accepting the head coaching job of the Buffalo Bills.<ref name="b558">{{cite magazine | last=LaMarre | first=Tom | title=Coach Rauch Led Raiders to Super Bowl II | magazine=Sports Illustrated| date=2022-07-15 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/raiders/the-black-hole-plus/coach-john-rauch-super-bowl-ii-al-davis | access-date=2024-08-10}}</ref><ref name="d599">{{cite web | title=Rauch reflects on a life of football | website=Tampa Bay Times | date=2005-10-08 | url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1993/01/03/rauch-reflects-on-a-life-of-football/ | access-date=2024-08-10}}</ref>

During the early 1960s, [[John Madden]] was a defensive assistant coach at [[San Diego State University]] under SDSU head coach [[Don Coryell]]. Madden credited Coryell as being an influence on his coaching. In 1967, Madden was hired by Al Davis as the Raiders linebacker coach. On February 4, 1969, after the departure of John Rauch, Madden was named the Raiders sixth head coach. Under Madden, the [[1969 Oakland Raiders season|1969 Raiders]] won the AFL West Division title for the third consecutive year with a 12–1–1 record. On December 20, 1969, the Raiders defeated the [[1969 Houston Oilers season|Oilers]] 56–7 in the AFL Division playoff game. In the [[1969 American Football League Championship Game|AFL Championship game]] on January 4, 1970, the Raiders were defeated by [[Hank Stram]]'s [[1969 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]] 17–7.

In 1970, the AFL–NFL merger was completed after four years and the Raiders joined the Western Division of the [[American Football Conference]] (actually the AFL West with the same teams as in 1969, except for the [[Cincinnati Bengals]]) in the newly merged NFL. The first [[1970 Oakland Raiders season|post-merger season]] saw the Raiders win the AFC West with an 8–4–2 record and advance to the [[1970 AFC Championship Game|conference championship]], where they lost to the [[1970 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]]. Despite another 8–4–2 season in [[1971 NFL season|1971]], it was only good for second place in the AFC West, and the team failed to make the playoffs. When backup offensive lineman [[Ron Mix]] played, the 1971 Raiders had an eventual all-Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive line with tackle [[Art Shell]], guard [[Gene Upshaw]], center Jim Otto, and tackle [[Bob Brown (offensive lineman)|Bob Brown]].

[[File:John Madden in 2007.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[John Madden]] was the head coach of the Raiders for 10 seasons. Madden's overall winning percentage including playoff games ranks second in league history. He won a Super Bowl and never had a losing season as a head coach.]]
The teams of the 1970s were thoroughly dominant teams, with eight Hall of Fame inductees on the roster and a Hall of Fame coach in John Madden. The 1970s Raiders created the team's identity and persona as a team that was hard-hitting. Dominant on defense, with the crushing hits of safeties [[Jack Tatum]] and [[George Atkinson (safety)|George Atkinson]] and cornerback [[Skip Thomas]], the Raiders regularly held first place in the AFC West, entering the playoffs nearly every season. From 1973 through 1977, the Raiders reached the conference championship every year.

This was also the era of a bitter rivalry between the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] and Raiders. In the 1970s, the Steelers and Raiders were frequently the two best teams in the AFC and, arguably, the NFL. The teams would meet on five occasions in the playoffs, and the winner of the Steelers-Raiders game went on to win the Super Bowl in three of those instances, from 1974 to 1976. The rivalry garnered attention in the sports media, with controversial plays, late hits, accusations and public statements.

The rivalry began with and was fueled by a controversial last-second play in their first playoff game in [[1972 NFL season|1972]]. That season the [[1972 Oakland Raiders season|Raiders]] achieved a 10–3–1 record and an AFC West title. In the divisional round, the Raiders would lose to the [[1972 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Steelers]] 13–7 on the controversial play that has become known as the "[[Immaculate Reception]]".

The [[1973 Oakland Raiders season|Raiders]] and [[1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Steelers]] would meet again the [[1973 NFL season|following season]] as the Raiders won the AFC West again with a 9–4–1 record. Lamonica was replaced as starting quarterback early in the season by [[Ken Stabler]]. The Raiders defeated Pittsburgh 33–14 in the divisional round of the playoffs to reach the AFC Championship, but lost 27–10 to the [[1973 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]].

In [[1974 NFL season|1974]] [[1974 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland]] had a 12–2 regular season, which included a nine-game winning streak. They beat the [[1974 Miami Dolphins season|Dolphins]] 28–26 in the divisional round of the playoffs in a see-saw battle remembered as the "Sea of Hands" game.<ref>National Football League lore</ref> They then lost the AFC Championship to the [[1974 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Steelers]], who went on to win the Super Bowl. The Raiders were held to only 29 yards rushing by the Pittsburgh defense, and late mistakes turned a 10–3 lead at the start of the fourth quarter into a disappointing 24–13 loss.

In the [[1975 NFL season|1975 season]] opener, the [[1975 Oakland Raiders season|Raiders]] beat [[1975 Miami Dolphins season|Miami]] and ended their 31-game home winning streak. With an 11–3 record, they defeated [[1975 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati]] 31–28 in the divisional playoff round. Again, the Raiders faced the [[1975 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Steelers]] in the conference championship, eager for revenge. According to Madden and Davis, the Raiders relied on quick movement by their wide receivers on the outside sidelines – the deep threat, or 'long ball' – more so than the Steelers of that year, whose offense was far more run-oriented than it would become later in the 1970s. Forced to adapt to the frozen field of Three Rivers Stadium, with receivers slipping and unable to make quick moves to beat coverage, the Raiders lost, 16–10. The rivalry had now grown to hatred, and became the stereotype of the 'grudge match.' Again, the Raiders came up short, as the Steelers won the AFC Championship and then went on to another Super Bowl title.

==== Super Bowl XI champions (1976) ====
In [[1976 NFL season|1976]], the [[1976 Oakland Raiders season|Raiders]] came from behind dramatically to beat [[1976 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh]] 31–28 in the season opener and continued to cement its reputation for dirty play by knocking WR [[Lynn Swann]] out for two weeks with a clothesline to the helmet. Al Davis later tried to sue Steelers coach [[Chuck Noll]] for libel after the latter called safety [[George Atkinson (safety)|George Atkinson]] a criminal for the hit. The Raiders won 13 regular-season games and a close controversial 21–17 victory over [[1976 New England Patriots season|New England]] in the divisional playoffs. With the Patriots up by three points in the final two minutes, referee Ben Dreith called roughing the passer on New England's [[Ray Hamilton (defensive tackle)|Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton]] after he hit Oakland QB Ken Stabler. The Raiders went on to score a touchdown in the final minute to win. They then defeated the Steelers 24–7 in the AFC Championship to advance to their second Super Bowl. In [[Super Bowl XI]], Oakland's opponent was the [[1976 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]], a team that had lost three previous Super Bowls. The Raiders jumped out to an early lead and led 16–0 at halftime. By the end, having forced Minnesota into multiple turnovers, the Raiders won 32–14 for their first Super Bowl and post-merger championship.

The [[1977 NFL season|following season]] saw the [[1977 Oakland Raiders season|Raiders]] finish 11–3, but they lost the division title to the [[1977 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]. They settled for a wild card, beating the [[1977 Baltimore Colts season|Colts]] in the second-longest overtime game in NFL history and which featured the [[Ghost to the Post]]. The Raiders then fell to the Broncos in the AFC Championship.

During a 1978 preseason game, Patriots WR [[Darryl Stingley]] was injured by a hit from Raiders FS Jack Tatum and paralyzed for life. Although the [[1978 Oakland Raiders season|1978 Raiders]] achieved a winning record at 9–7, they missed the playoffs for the first time since 1971, losing critical games down the stretch to miss the playoffs.

After 10 consecutive winning seasons and one Super Bowl championship, John Madden left coaching in 1979 to pursue a career as a television football commentator. His replacement was former Raiders quarterback [[Tom Flores]], the first Hispanic head coach in NFL history.<ref name="hispanic">{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/insider/2001/raidersnewhouse_091801.html |title=1980 Raiders were outcasts, champions |access-date=January 25, 2007 |last=Newhouse |first=Dave |website=[[NFL.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070123200328/http://www.nfl.com/insider/2001/raidersnewhouse_091801.html |archive-date=January 23, 2007}}</ref> Flores led the [[1979 Oakland Raiders season|Raiders]] to another 9–7 [[1979 NFL season|season]], but the team missed the playoffs.

==== Super Bowl XV champions (1980) ====
In the midst of the turmoil of Al Davis' attempts to move the team to Los Angeles in [[1980 NFL season|1980]], Flores looked to lead the [[1980 Oakland Raiders season|Raiders]] to their third Super Bowl by finishing the season 11–5 and earning a wild card berth. Quarterback [[Jim Plunkett]] revitalized his career, taking over in game five when starter [[Dan Pastorini]] was lost for the season to a broken leg after owner Al Davis had picked up Pastorini when he swapped quarterbacks with the [[1980 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]], sending the beloved [[Ken Stabler]] to the Oilers. The Raiders defeated Stabler and the Oilers in the Wild Card game and advanced to the AFC Championship by defeating the [[1980 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] 14–12. The Raiders slipped by the AFC West champion San Diego Chargers to advance to their third Super Bowl. In [[Super Bowl XV]], the Raiders faced head coach [[Dick Vermeil]]'s [[Philadelphia Eagles]]. The Raiders dominated the Eagles, taking an early 14–0 lead in the first quarter behind two touchdown passes by Plunkett, including a then-Super Bowl record 80-yard pass and catch to running back [[Kenny King (running back)|Kenny King]]. A [[Cliff Branch]] third-quarter touchdown reception put the Raiders up 21–3 in the third quarter. They would go on to win 27–10, winning their second Super Bowl and becoming the first team to ever win the Super Bowl after getting into the playoffs as the wild card team.

The Raiders' final campaign of their first run in Oakland of [[1981 Oakland Raiders season|1981]] saw the team fall to a 7–9 record, failing to make the playoffs following their Super Bowl win.

=== Los Angeles Raiders (1982–1994) ===
[[File:Howie Long - American Football Player TV host.jpg|thumb|left|190px|Raiders Hall of Famer [[Howie Long]]]]
In 1980 Al Davis attempted unsuccessfully to have improvements made to the [[Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum]], specifically the addition of [[luxury box]]es. That year, he signed a [[memorandum of agreement]] to move the Raiders from Oakland to Los Angeles. The move, which required three-fourths approval by league owners, was defeated 22–0 (with five owners abstaining). When Davis tried to move the team anyway, he was blocked by an [[injunction]]. In response, the Raiders not only became an active partner in an [[Competition law|antitrust]] lawsuit filed by the [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]] (who had recently lost the [[Los Angeles Rams]] to [[Angel Stadium|Anaheim]]), but filed an antitrust lawsuit of their own.<ref>Dickey, ''Just Win, Baby''. p. 168.</ref> After the first case was declared a [[Trial|mistrial]], in May 1982, a second jury found in favor of Davis and the Los Angeles Coliseum, clearing the way for the move.<ref>Dickey, ''Just Win, Baby''. p. 172.</ref><ref name="moveone">{{cite web |url=http://www.hickoksports.com/biograph/davisall.shtml |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20020223180421/http://www.hickoksports.com/biograph/davisall.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 23, 2002 |title=Al Davis biography |access-date=January 30, 2007 |work=HickokSports.com }}</ref><ref name="movetwo">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/classic/s/add_davis_al.html |title=Good guys wear black |access-date=January 30, 2007 |last=Puma |first=Mike |date=December 1, 2003 |publisher=[[ESPN Classic]] |archive-date=March 10, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310021658/http://espn.go.com/classic/s/add_davis_al.html |url-status=live }}</ref> With the ruling, the Raiders would relocate to Los Angeles for the [[1982 NFL season|1982 season]] to play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum.

The newly minted [[1982 Los Angeles Raiders season|Los Angeles Raiders]] finished the [[1982 NFL strike|strike-shortened]] [[1982 NFL season|1982 season]] 8–1 to win the AFC West, but lost in the second round of the [[1982–83 NFL playoffs|playoffs]] to the [[1982 New York Jets season|Jets]].

==== Super Bowl XVIII champions (1983) ====
The [[1983 NFL season|following season]], the [[1983 Los Angeles Raiders season|Raiders]] finished 12–4 to win the AFC West. Convincing playoff wins over the [[1983 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Steelers]] and [[1983 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] in the [[1983–84 NFL playoffs|AFC playoffs]] propelled the Raiders to their fourth Super Bowl. Against the [[1983 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] in [[Super Bowl XVIII]], the Raiders built a lead after blocking a punt and recovering for a touchdown early in the game. A Branch touchdown reception from Plunkett put the Raiders up 14–0 with more than nine minutes remaining in the first quarter. With seven seconds remaining in the first half, linebacker [[Jack Squirek]] intercepted a [[Joe Theismann]] [[swing pass]] at the Washington five-yard line and scored, sending the Raiders to a 21–3 halftime lead. Following a [[John Riggins]] one-yard touchdown run (extra point was blocked), [[Marcus Allen]] scored from five yards out to build the lead to 28–9. The Raiders sealed the game with Allen reversed his route on a Super Bowl record run that turned into a 74-yard touchdown. The Raiders went on to a 38–9 victory and their third NFL championship. Allen set a record for most rushing yards (191) and combined yards (209) in a Super Bowl as the Raiders won their third Super Bowl in eight years.

[[File:1985 Police Raiders-Rams - 01 Marcus Allen (crop).jpg|thumb|230px|Raiders' Hall of Famer [[Marcus Allen]] is considered one of the greatest goal line and short-yard runners in National Football League history.]]
The [[1984 Los Angeles Raiders season|team]] had another successful regular season in [[1984 NFL season|1984]], finishing 11–5, but a three-game losing streak forced them to enter the playoffs as a wild-card, where they fell to the [[1984 Seattle Seahawks season|Seahawks]] in the Wild Card game.

The [[1985 Los Angeles Raiders season|1985 Raiders]] campaign saw 12 wins and a division title as Marcus Allen was named MVP. A loss to the [[1985 New England Patriots season|Patriots]] derailed any further postseason hopes.

The Raiders' fortunes declined after that, and from [[1986 Los Angeles Raiders season|1986]] to [[1989 Los Angeles Raiders season|1989]], they finished no better than 8–8 and posted consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 1961–62. Also in 1986, Al Davis got into a widely publicized argument with Marcus Allen, whom he accused of faking injuries. The feud continued into [[1987 Los Angeles Raiders season|1987]], and Davis retaliated by signing [[Bo Jackson]] to essentially replace Allen. Jackson was also a [[left fielder]] for [[Major League Baseball]]'s [[Kansas City Royals]], and could not play full-time until baseball season ended in October. Even worse, another [[1987 NFL strike|strike]] cost the NFL one game and prompted them to use substitute players. The Raiders achieved a 1–2 record before the regular players returned after the strike. After a weak 5–10 finish, Tom Flores moved to the front office and was replaced by Denver Broncos offensive assistant coach [[Mike Shanahan]].

Shanahan led the team to a 7–9 season in [[1988 Los Angeles Raiders season|1988]], and Allen and Jackson continued to trade places as the starting running back. Low game attendance and fan apathy were evident by this point, and in the summer of 1988, rumors of a Raiders return to Oakland intensified when a preseason game against the [[1988 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]] was scheduled at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum.<ref>Dickey, ''Just Win, Baby''. p. 234.</ref>

After starting the [[1989 NFL season|1989 season]] with a 1–3 record, Shanahan was fired by Davis, which began a long-standing feud between the two.<ref name="feud">{{cite news |first=John |last=Czarnecki |title=Raiders, Broncos renew rivalry |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/949168 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014708/http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/949168 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |work=Fox Sports |access-date=January 29, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://losangeles.sbnation.com/2011/10/10/2481973/raiders-al-davis-mike-shanahan-history|title=Raiders History: Al Davis And Mike Shanahan, Best Friends Forever|last=Kunnath|first=Avinash|date=October 10, 2011|website=SB Nation Los Angeles|access-date=May 31, 2017|archive-date=January 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108062656/https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2011/10/10/2481973/raiders-al-davis-mike-shanahan-history|url-status=live}}</ref> He was replaced by former Raider offensive lineman [[Art Shell]], who had been voted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] earlier in the year. With the hiring, Shell became the first African American head coach in the modern NFL era, but the [[1989 Los Angeles Raiders season|team]] still finished a middling 8–8.<ref name="shellhiring">{{cite news |first=Jarrett |last=Bell |title=Coaches chasing Super Bowl – and history |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-01-16-dungy-lovie_x.htm |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=January 17, 2007 |access-date=January 29, 2007 |archive-date=February 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206024436/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-01-16-dungy-lovie_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In [[1990 NFL season|1990]] Shell led the [[1990 Los Angeles Raiders season|Raiders]] to a 12–4 record. Behind Bo Jackson's spectacular play, they beat the [[1990 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]] in the divisional round of the playoffs. Jackson suffered a severe hip and leg injury after a tackle during the game. Without him, the Raiders were blown out 51–3 in the AFC Championship by the [[1990 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]. Jackson was forced to quit football as a result of the injury, although surgery allowed him to continue playing baseball until he retired in 1994.

The [[1991 Los Angeles Raiders season|Raiders]] finished with a 9–7 record in [[1991 NFL season|1991]], but struggled looking for a reliable quarterback and lost to the [[1991 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]] in the Wild Card game. The struggle for a quarterback continued in 1992 as the Raiders started two different quarterbacks and stumbled to a 7–9 record, two other playoff appearances during the 1990s, and finished higher than third place only three times.

The [[1993 Los Angeles Raiders season|Raiders]] rebounded well in 1993 with [[Jeff Hostetler]] as the everyday quarterback, finishing in second place in the AFC West with a 10–6 record. A win over the [[1993 Denver Broncos season|Broncos]] in the wild card game means a rematch against the [[1993 Buffalo Bills season|Bills]] for the right to go to the AFC Championship game. The Raiders, led by two [[Napoleon McCallum]] rushing touchdowns took a halftime lead, but could only manage six points in the second half losing to the Bills again 29–23.

Following a 9–7 record in the [[1994 Los Angeles Raiders season|1994 season]] that resulted in the team missing the playoffs, Art Shell was fired.

=== Second Oakland era (1995–2019) ===
[[File:Tim Brown.jpg|thumb|190px|left|Raiders' Hall of Famer [[Tim Brown (American football)|Tim Brown]] spent 16 years with the Raiders, during which he established himself as one of the NFL's most prolific wide receivers.]]
As early as 1986, Davis sought to abandon the Coliseum in favor of a more modern stadium. In addition to sharing the venue with the [[USC Trojans football|USC Trojans]], the Raiders were less than ecstatic with the Coliseum as it was aging and still lacked the luxury suites and other amenities that Davis was promised when he moved the Raiders to Los Angeles.<ref>Dickey, ''Just Win, Baby''. p. 230.</ref> Finally, the Coliseum had 95,000 seats and the Raiders were rarely able to fill all of them even in their best years, and so most Raiders home games were blacked out in Southern California. Numerous sites in California were considered, including one near the now-defunct [[Hollywood Park Racetrack|Hollywood Park]] in [[Inglewood, California|Inglewood]], where [[SoFi Stadium]] for the Rams and Chargers now stands, and another in [[Carson, California|Carson]]. In August 1987 it was announced that the city of [[Irwindale, California|Irwindale]] paid Davis US$10&nbsp;million as a good-faith deposit for a prospective stadium site.<ref>Dickey, ''Just Win, Baby''. p. 232.</ref> When the bid failed, Davis kept the non-refundable deposit.<ref name="deposit">{{cite news |date=January 23, 2003 |title=Al Davis may retire if Raiders win |work=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] |agency=Associated Press |url=http://bengals.enquirer.com/2003/01/23/wwwsbdavis.html |url-status=dead |access-date=January 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102133117/http://bengals.enquirer.com/2003/01/23/wwwsbdavis.html |archive-date=January 2, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="irwindale">{{cite news |last=Plaschke |first=Bill |title=Shades of Gray |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |agency=Associated Press |url=http://apse.dallasnews.com/contest/2003/writing/over250/over250.columns.third3-4.html |url-status=dead |access-date=January 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070804232618/http://apse.dallasnews.com/contest/2003/writing/over250/over250.columns.third3-4.html |archive-date=August 4, 2007}}</ref> During this time Davis also almost moved the team to [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]] in a deal that would have included Davis becoming the managing partner of the [[Sacramento Kings]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 12, 2018 |title=Sacramento Raiders? 'It was a done deal' |language=en |work=NBCS Bay Area |url=http://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/kings/sacramento-raiders-it-was-done-deal |url-status=live |access-date=January 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113150442/http://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/kings/sacramento-raiders-it-was-done-deal |archive-date=January 13, 2018}}</ref>

Negotiations between Davis and Oakland commenced in January 1989, and on March 11, 1990, Davis announced his intention to bring the Raiders back to Oakland.<ref>Dickey, ''Just Win, Baby''. pp. 234–239.</ref> By September 1990, numerous delays had prevented the completion of the deal between Davis and Oakland. On September 11, Davis announced a new deal to stay in Los Angeles, leading many fans in Oakland to burn Raiders paraphernalia in disgust.<ref>Dickey, ''Just Win, Baby''. pp. 240–244.</ref>

On June 23, 1995, Davis signed a [[letter of intent]] to move the Raiders back to Oakland. The move was approved by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors the next month.<ref name="approved">{{cite news |title=Raiders' Move Is Approved |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE4DE133AF931A25754C0A963958260 |work=The New York Times |date=July 12, 1995 |access-date=February 2, 2007 |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013160948/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE4DE133AF931A25754C0A963958260 |url-status=live }}</ref> As the NFL had never recognized the Raiders' initial move to Los Angeles, they could not disapprove of the move or request a relocation fee, which had to be paid by the [[Los Angeles Rams]] for their move to [[St. Louis]]. In order to convince Davis to return, Oakland spent $220&nbsp;million on stadium renovations. These included a new seating section – commonly known as "[[Mount Davis (Oakland)|Mount Davis]]" – with 10,000 seats. It also built the team a training facility and paid all its moving costs. The Raiders paid $525,000 a year in rent – a fraction{{Clarify|reason=vague|date=January 2015}} of what the nearby [[San Francisco 49ers]] paid to play at the now-extinct [[Candlestick Park]] – and did not pay maintenance or game-day operating costs.

The move was greeted with much fanfare,<ref name="fanfare">{{cite news |first=Monte |last=Poole |title=Raiders headed home 10 years ago |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20050622/ai_n15838422 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013235507/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20050622/ai_n15838422 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]] |date=June 22, 2005 |access-date=February 2, 2007 }}</ref> and under new head coach [[Mike White (American football coach)|Mike White]] the [[1995 NFL season|1995 season]] began well for the [[1995 Oakland Raiders season|Raiders]]. Oakland started 8–2, but injuries to starting quarterback Jeff Hostetler contributed to a six-game losing streak for an 8–8 finish and the Raiders failed to qualify for the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

After two more losing seasons (7–9 in [[1996 Oakland Raiders season|1996]] and 4–12 in [[1997 Oakland Raiders season|1997]]) under White and his successor, [[Joe Bugel]], Davis selected a new head coach from outside the Raiders organization for only the second time when he hired Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator [[Jon Gruden]]. Gruden previously worked for the 49ers and [[Green Bay Packers]] under head coach [[Mike Holmgren]]. Under Gruden, the Raiders posted consecutive 8–8 seasons in [[1998 Oakland Raiders season|1998]] and [[1999 Oakland Raiders season|1999]].

Oakland finished 12–4 in the [[2000 Oakland Raiders season|2000 season]], the team's most successful in a decade. Led by veteran quarterback [[Rich Gannon]] (MVP), Oakland won their first division title since 1990, and advanced to the AFC Championship, where Gannon was hurt when sacked by [[2000 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]]' lineman [[Tony Siragusa]]. The Raider offense struggled without Gannon, and the Raiders fell 16–3 to the eventual Super Bowl champion Ravens.

[[File:Charles Woodson 2014 2.JPG|thumb|190px|[[Charles Woodson]] was the first and is still the only primarily defensive player to win the [[Heisman Trophy]]. Woodson was selected by the Raiders with the fourth overall pick of the [[1998 NFL draft]].]]
The Raiders acquired all-time leading receiver [[Jerry Rice]] prior to the [[2001 Oakland Raiders season|2001 season]]. They started 10–3 but lost their last three games and finished with a 10–6 record and a wild card playoff spot. They defeated the [[2001 New York Jets season|New York Jets]] 38–24 in the wild card round to advance to face the [[2001 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]]. In a game in which the Raiders led for most of the game, the game was played in a heavy snowstorm. In what would be known as the "[[Tuck Rule Game]]", late in the fourth quarter with the Patriots trailing the Raiders by a field goal, Raiders star cornerback [[Charles Woodson]] blitzed Patriots quarterback [[Tom Brady]], causing an apparent fumble which was recovered by Raiders linebacker [[Greg Biekert]]. The recovery would assuredly have led to a Raiders victory, as the Raiders would have a first down with 1:43 remaining and the Patriots had no more time outs); the play was reviewed and determined to be an incomplete pass (it was ruled that Brady had pump-faked and then had not yet "tucked" the ball into his body, which, by rule, cannot result in a fumble, was instead an incomplete pass—though this explanation was not given on the field, but after the NFL season had ended). The Patriots retained possession and drove for a game-tying field goal. The game went into overtime and the Patriots won 16–13.<ref name="tuck">{{cite news |first=Ray |last=Ratto |title=Conspiracy theorists have a fresh cause |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2002/01/20/SP233151.DTL |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=January 20, 2002 |access-date=February 2, 2007 |archive-date=January 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101193201/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fchronicle%2Farchive%2F2002%2F01%2F20%2FSP233151.DTL |url-status=live }}</ref>

On February 18, 2002, the Raiders made a move that involved releasing Gruden from his contract and allowing the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] to sign him. In return, the Raiders received $8 million and four future draft picks from the Buccaneers (Davis was later quoted as stating that he did not regret the move at all).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2011/01/18/al-davis-post-presser-on-gruden-the-patriots-missing-moss-and-the-squareness-in-me/|title=Al Davis, post-presser: On Gruden, the Patriots missing Moss and "the squareness in me"|date=January 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/blog/tampa-bay-buccaneers/post/_/id/19569/a-trade-that-shook-the-nfl-how-bucs-jon-gruden-gamble-paid-off-with-a-super-bowl| title = 'A trade that shook the NFL': How Bucs' Jon Gruden gamble paid off with a Super Bowl - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Blog- ESPN| date = December 18, 2017}}</ref> [[Bill Callahan (American football coach)|Bill Callahan]], who served as the team's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach during Gruden's tenure, was named head coach.<ref name="callahan">{{cite news |title=Raiders promote Callahan to head coach |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/news/2002/0312/1350580.html |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=March 12, 2002 |access-date=March 11, 2009 |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601185622/http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/news/2002/0312/1350580.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Under Callahan, the Raiders finished the [[2002 Oakland Raiders season|2002 season]] 11–5, won their third-straight division title, and clinched the top seed in the playoffs. [[Rich Gannon]] was named MVP of the NFL after passing for a league-high 4,689 yards. After beating the [[2002 New York Jets season|Jets]] and [[2002 Tennessee Titans season|Titans]] by large margins in the [[2002–03 NFL playoffs|playoffs]], the Raiders made their fifth Super Bowl appearance in [[Super Bowl XXXVII]]. Their opponent was the [[2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]], coached by Gruden. The Raiders, who had not made significant changes to Gruden's offensive schemes, were intercepted five times by the Buccaneers en route to a 48–21 blowout. Some Tampa Bay players claimed that Gruden had given them so much information on Oakland's offense, they knew exactly what plays were being called.<ref name="coaching">{{cite news |first=John |last=Clayton |title=Gruden proves how much coaching matters |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs02/columnist/2003/0126/1499382.html |work=ESPN.com |access-date=March 11, 2009 |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601185836/http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs02/columnist/2003/0126/1499382.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="decisions">{{cite news |first=Elliott |last=Kalb |title=The worst decisions in Super Bowl history |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6427798 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070402141131/http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6427798 |archive-date=April 2, 2007 |work=FOX Sports |date=February 1, 2007 |access-date=February 2, 2007 }}</ref>

Callahan's [[2003 Oakland Raiders season|second season]] as head coach was considerably less successful. Oakland finished 4–12, which was their worst showing since 1997. After a late-season loss to the [[2003 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]], a visibly frustrated Callahan exclaimed, "We've got to be the dumbest team in America in terms of playing the game."<ref name="dumbest">{{cite news|title=Portis runs Denver past error-prone Raiders |url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20031130_DEN@OAK |work=NFL.com |date=November 30, 2003 |access-date=February 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908211734/http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/recap/NFL_20031130_DEN%40OAK |archive-date=September 8, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> At the end of the 2003 regular season Callahan was fired and replaced by former Washington Redskins head coach [[Norv Turner]].

The team's fortunes did not improve in Turner's first year. Oakland finished the [[2004 Oakland Raiders season|2004 season]] 5–11, with only one divisional win (a one-point victory over the [[2004 Denver Broncos season|Broncos]] in Denver). During a Week 3 victory against the [[2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Buccaneers]], Rich Gannon suffered a neck injury that ended his season and eventually his career. He never returned to the team and retired before the 2005 season.<ref name="gannon">{{cite news |first=Nancy |last=Gay |title=Gannon makes it official – he's done |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/07/SPG5IE4DSS1.DTL |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=August 7, 2005 |access-date=February 4, 2007 |archive-date=August 10, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810115009/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2005%2F08%2F07%2FSPG5IE4DSS1.DTL |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Kerry Collins]], who led the New York Giants to an appearance in [[Super Bowl XXXV]] and signed with Oakland after the 2003 season, became the team's starting quarterback.

In an effort to bolster their offense, in early [[2005 Oakland Raiders season|2005]] the Raiders acquired Pro Bowl wide receiver [[Randy Moss]] via trade with the [[Minnesota Vikings]], and signed free agent running back [[Lamont Jordan]] of the New York Jets. After a 4–12 season and a second consecutive last-place finish, Turner was fired as head coach.

On February 11, 2006, the team announced the return of [[Art Shell]] as head coach. In announcing the move, [[Al Davis]] said that firing Shell in 1995 had been a mistake.<ref name="mistake">{{cite news |first=John |last=Clayton |title=Shell to return to Raiders as head coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2326498 |work=ESPN.com |date=February 11, 2006 |access-date=February 4, 2007 |archive-date=November 8, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061108044621/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2326498 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Under Shell, the Raiders lost their first five games in [[2006 Oakland Raiders season|2006]] en route to a 2–14 record, the team's worst since 1962. Despite having one of the best defenses, Oakland's offense struggled greatly, scoring just 168 points (fewest in franchise history) and allowing a league-high 72 sacks. Wide receiver [[Jerry Porter (American football)|Jerry Porter]] was benched by Shell for most of the season in what many viewed as a personal, rather than football-related, decision. Shell was fired again at the end of the season.<ref name="struggle">{{cite news |title=Shell out after one season as Raiders coach |url=http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/OAK/9908560 |work=NFL.com |date=January 4, 2007 |access-date=February 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070126041745/http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/OAK/9908560 |archive-date=January 26, 2007}}</ref> The Raiders also earned the right to the first overall pick in the [[2007 NFL draft]] for the first time since 1962, by virtue of having the league's worst record.<ref name="draft">{{cite news |title=Raiders secure top draft pick for first time since 1962 |url=http://onlineathens.com/stories/010207/sports_20070102028.shtml |agency=Associated Press |publisher=OnlineAthens.com |date=January 1, 2007 |access-date=February 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070119054845/http://onlineathens.com/stories/010207/sports_20070102028.shtml |archive-date=January 19, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On January 22, 2007, the team announced the hiring of 31-year-old [[USC Trojans football|USC]] offensive coordinator [[Lane Kiffin]], the youngest coach in franchise history and the youngest coach in the NFL.<ref name="kiffin">{{cite news |first=David |last=White |title=Raiders hire USC's Kiffin to be head coach |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/22/SPGCLNMU4G9.DTL |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=January 22, 2007 |access-date=January 23, 2007 |archive-date=August 10, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810115007/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2007%2F01%2F22%2FSPGCLNMU4G9.DTL |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 2007 NFL Draft, the Raiders selected [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]] quarterback [[JaMarcus Russell]] with the No. 1 overall pick, despite a strong objection from Kiffin. Russell, arguably the biggest bust in NFL history, held out until September 12<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3016693|title=With payday secured, Russell begins NFL journey|date=September 13, 2007|access-date=January 13, 2017|archive-date=January 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116144108/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3016693|url-status=live}}</ref> and did not make his first career start until week 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3167941|title=Russell to make first career start in Raiders' finale|date=December 24, 2007|access-date=January 13, 2017|archive-date=January 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120214126/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3167941|url-status=live}}</ref> Kiffin coached the Raiders to a 4–12 record in the [[2007 Oakland Raiders season|2007 season]]. After a 1–3 start to [[2008 Oakland Raiders season|2008]] and months of speculation and rumors, Davis fired Kiffin on September 30.

[[Tom Cable]] was named as Kiffin's interim replacement, and subsequently signed as the 17th head coach of the Raiders on February 3, 2009.

The team's finish to the [[2008 NFL season|2008 season]] would turn out to match their best since they lost the Super Bowl in the 2002 season. They still finished 5–11 and ended up third in the AFC West, the first time they did not finish last since 2002. They would produce an identical record in [[2009 Oakland Raiders season|2009]]; the season was somewhat ameliorated by the fact that four of the Raiders' five wins were against opponents with above .500 records. In [[2010 Oakland Raiders season|2010]] the Raiders became the first team in NFL history to go undefeated against their division yet miss the playoffs (6–0 in the AFC West, 8–8 overall, 3 games behind the [[2010 New York Jets season|Jets]] for the second Wild Card entry). On January 4, 2011, owner Al Davis informed head coach Tom Cable that his contract would not be renewed, ending his tenure with the organization. Many Raider players, such as punter Shane Lechler, were upset with the decision.

On January 17, 2011, it was announced that offensive coordinator [[Hue Jackson]] was going to be the next Raiders head coach. A press conference was held on January 18, 2011, to formally introduce Jackson as the next Raiders head coach, the fifth in just seven years. Following Davis's death during the [[2011 Oakland Raiders season|2011 season]], new owners [[Carol Davis (American football)|Carol]] and [[Mark Davis (American football)|Mark Davis]] decided to take the franchise in a drastically different direction by hiring a general manager. On New Year's Day of 2012, the Raiders played the [[San Diego Chargers]], hoping to go to the playoffs for the first time since 2002, the game ended with a 38–26 loss. Their season ended with another disappointing 8–8 record.

The Raiders named [[Green Bay Packers]] director of football operations [[Reggie McKenzie (linebacker)|Reggie McKenzie]] as the team's first general manager since Al Davis on January 6, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://utsports.com/news/2012/1/6/Former_Vol_McKenzie_Named_Raiders_GM.aspx |title=Former Vol McKenzie Named Raiders GM - University of Tennessee Athletics |access-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728030021/https://utsports.com/news/2012/1/6/Former_Vol_McKenzie_Named_Raiders_GM.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On January 24, 2012, McKenzie hired [[Dennis Allen (American football)|Dennis Allen]] as the team's 18th head coach.  He was the first Raiders defense-oriented head coach since [[John Madden]]'s retirement after the 1978 season.

The Raiders began [[2012 Oakland Raiders season|2012]] by running a [[nose tackle]] when they run a [[4-3 defense|4–3 defense]]. They lost their home opener on Monday Night Football against San Diego 22–14, and finished the season 4–12.

In the 2013 off-season, the Raiders began making major roster moves. These included the signing of linebackers [[Kevin Burnett]], [[Nick Roach]], and [[Kaluka Maiava]], defensive tackles [[Pat Sims]] and [[Vance Walker]], cornerbacks [[Tracy Porter]] and [[Mike Jenkins (American football)|Mike Jenkins]], defensive end [[Jason Hunter (American football)|Jason Hunter]], and safety [[Usama Young]] and the release of wide receiver [[Darrius Heyward-Bey]], safety [[Michael Huff]], linebacker [[Rolando McClain]] and defensive tackle [[Tommy Kelly (American football)|Tommy Kelly]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raiders.com/team/transactions.html |title=Oakland Raiders &#124; Transactions |publisher=Raiders.com |access-date=August 18, 2013 |archive-date=August 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822224230/http://www.raiders.com/team/transactions.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Starting quarterback [[Carson Palmer]] was traded to the [[Arizona Cardinals]] in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick and a conditional seventh-round draft pick. Shortly before, they had traded a fifth-round pick and an undisclosed conditional pick in exchange for [[Matt Flynn (American football)|Matt Flynn]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Corman |first=Rebecca |url=http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Raiders-Obtain-Quarterback-Matt-Flynn-from-Seattle/7943cdab-6750-4e15-9f86-098a1fe4e2c9 |title=Raiders Obtain Quarterback Matt Flynn from Seattle |publisher=Raiders.com |date=August 14, 2013 |access-date=August 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113184750/http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Raiders-Obtain-Quarterback-Matt-Flynn-from-Seattle/7943cdab-6750-4e15-9f86-098a1fe4e2c9 |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition to signing Matt Flynn, the Raiders also welcomed back [[Charles Woodson]], signing him to a 1-year deal in mid-May.<ref>{{cite web |last=McIntyre |first=Brian |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/charles-woodson-agrees-one-deal-oakland-raiders-021043651.html |title=Charles Woodson agrees to one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders &#124; Shutdown Corner – Yahoo! Sports |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |date=May 21, 2013 |access-date=August 18, 2013 |archive-date=July 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715213526/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/charles-woodson-agrees-one-deal-oakland-raiders-021043651.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Raiders finished the [[2013 Oakland Raiders season|2013 season]] with a record of 4–12.

[[File:Derek Carr 2019.JPG|190px|left|thumb|[[Derek Carr]]'s 53 TD passes in his first two seasons are the second-most in NFL history.]]
In the [[2014 NFL draft]], the Raiders selected linebacker [[Khalil Mack]] in the first round and quarterback [[Derek Carr (American football)|Derek Carr]] in the second round hoping each would anchor their side of the ball. Carr was given control early as he was chosen as the starter for the opener of the 2014 season. After an 0–4 start to the [[2014 Oakland Raiders season|2014 season]], and an 8–28 overall record as head coach, Allen was fired.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/raiders-fire-dennis-allen-after-two-plus-seasons-0ap3000000403246|title=Raiders fire Dennis Allen after two-plus seasons|work=[[National Football League]]|date=September 29, 2014|access-date=September 29, 2014|archive-date=October 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001034403/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000403246/article/raiders-fire-dennis-allen-after-twoplus-seasons|url-status=live}}</ref> Offensive line coach [[Tony Sparano]] was named interim head coach on September 30. The Raiders finished the 2014 season with a record of 3–13. Carr started all 16 games for the Raiders, the first Raider since [[2002 Oakland Raiders season|2002]] to do so. First-round pick Mack finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

[[Jack Del Rio]] was hired to become the new head coach of the Raiders on January 14, 2015, replacing the fired [[Dennis Allen (American football)|Dennis Allen]] (who coincidentally had preceded him as the Broncos defensive coordinator) and interim head coach [[Tony Sparano]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Bair, Scott|url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/raiders/raiders-get-their-man-hire-jack-del-rio-new-head-coach|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150118203416/http://www.csnbayarea.com/raiders/raiders-get-their-man-hire-jack-del-rio-new-head-coach|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 18, 2015|title=Raiders get their man, hire Jack Del Rio as new head coach |publisher=Comcast SportsNet Bay Area|date=January 14, 2015}}</ref>

The Raiders showed great improvement in Del Rio's first season, improving upon their three-win 2014 season, going 7–9 in the [[2015 Oakland Raiders season|2015 season]]. Rookie wide receiver [[Amari Cooper]] fulfilled almost all expectations and [[Derek Carr (American football)|Derek Carr]] continued his improvement at quarterback. Cooper, Mack, Murray, and Carr were selected to participate in the Pro Bowl. DE Khalil Mack was the first player ever to be selected as an AP [[2015 All-Pro Team]] at two positions in the same year.

The day following the conclusion of the 2015 regular season, the Raiders, [[St. Louis Rams]], and [[San Diego Chargers]] all filed to relocate to Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bien|first=Louis|title=Rams, Raiders and Chargers file for relocation to Los Angeles|url=https://www.sbnation.com/2016/1/4/10712988/los-angeles-relocation-chargers-raiders-rams|publisher=[[SB Nation]]|date=January 4, 2016|access-date=January 13, 2016|archive-date=January 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107221846/http://www.sbnation.com/2016/1/4/10712988/los-angeles-relocation-chargers-raiders-rams|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 12, 2016, the NFL owners voted 30–2 to allow the Rams to return to L.A. and approved a [[SoFi Stadium|stadium project]] in [[Inglewood, California|Inglewood]] proposed by Rams owner [[Stan Kroenke]] over a competing project in [[Carson, California|Carson]] that the Chargers and Raiders had jointly proposed. The Chargers were given a one-year approval to relocate as well, conditioned on negotiating a lease agreement with the Rams or an agreement to partner with the Rams on the new stadium construction. The Raiders were given conditional permission to relocate if the Chargers were to decline their option first.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hanzus|first=Dan|title=Rams to relocate to L.A.; Chargers first option to join|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/rams-to-relocate-to-l-a-chargers-first-option-to-join-0ap3000000621645|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=January 12, 2016|access-date=January 13, 2016|archive-date=January 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114055828/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000621645/article/rams-to-relocate-to-la-chargers-first-option-to-join|url-status=live}}</ref>

As part of the Rams' relocation decision, the NFL offered to provide both the Chargers and Raiders $100&nbsp;million each if they could work out new stadiums in their home markets. The Chargers eventually announced on January 12, 2017, that they would exercise their option to relocate to Los Angeles following the failure of a November 2016 ballot initiative to fund a new stadium in San Diego.<ref>{{cite web|title=Letter from Dean Spanos|url=http://www.chargers.com/news/2017/01/12/letter-dean-spanos|website=Chargers.com|publisher=Los Angeles Chargers|date=January 12, 2017|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112163804/http://www.chargers.com/news/2017/01/12/letter-dean-spanos|archive-date=January 12, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Chargers to Relocate to Los Angeles|url=http://www.chargers.com/news/2017/01/12/chargers-relocate-los-angeles|website=Chargers.com|publisher=Los Angeles Chargers|date=January 12, 2017|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428122353/http://www.chargers.com/news/2017/01/12/chargers-relocate-los-angeles|archive-date=April 28, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In an official statement on the Rams decision, the Raiders offered they would "now turn our attention to exploring all options to find a permanent stadium solution."<ref>{{cite web|last=Crabtree|first=Curtis|title=Raiders statement on decision and plans doesn't mention "Oakland"|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/01/13/raiders-statement-on-decision-and-plans-doesnt-mention-oakland/|website=profootballtalk.nbcsports.com|publisher=PFT (NBC Sports)|date=January 13, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202014028/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/01/13/raiders-statement-on-decision-and-plans-doesnt-mention-oakland/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Las Vegas]] and [[San Antonio]] were heavily rumored as possible relocation destinations. By mid-February 2016, the team had worked out a one-year lease agreement with the City of Oakland to play at O.co Coliseum with the option for a second one-year lease.<ref>{{cite web|last=Associated Press|title=Raiders owner Mark Davis calls lease deal 'win-win' for both sides|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14762511/oakland-raiders-sign-new-lease-oco-coliseum-2016-season|website=ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN/AP|date=February 11, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2017}}</ref>

In late January 2016 billionaire [[Sheldon Adelson]], president and CEO of the [[Las Vegas Sands]] Corporation casino empire, proposed [[Allegiant Stadium|a new domed stadium]] in Las Vegas to potentially house the [[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]] [[UNLV Rebels football|football team]] and a possible NFL team. Adelson quickly reached out to the Raiders to discuss the team partnering on the new stadium.<ref name="AdelsonProposal">{{cite web|last=Stutz|first=Howard|title=Las Vegas Sands proposes $1B domed stadium; Adelson to meet with Raiders owner|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/stadium/las-vegas-sands-proposes-1b-domed-stadium-adelson-meet-raiders-owner|website=reviewjournal.com|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=January 28, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=February 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204075639/http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/stadium/las-vegas-sands-proposes-1b-domed-stadium-adelson-meet-raiders-owner|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2016, without promising the team would move, Raiders owner Mark Davis met with the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee and pledged $500&nbsp;million toward Adelson's stadium if public officials agreed to contribute to the stadium.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gutierrez|first=Paul|title=Raiders owner Mark Davis says he wants to move team to Las Vegas|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/15420427/oakland-raiders-owner-mark-davis-says-wants-move-team-las-vegas|website=ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN|date=April 28, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=January 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117005924/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/15420427/oakland-raiders-owner-mark-davis-says-wants-move-team-las-vegas|url-status=live}}</ref>

A [[Fortress Investment Group|group of investors]] led by former NFL stars [[Ronnie Lott]] and [[Rodney Peete]] proposed a new stadium to the city of Oakland in June 2016 as a way to keep the Raiders in the city.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Matier|first1=Phillip|last2=Ross|first2=Andrew|title=Ronnie Lott's pitch for Raiders stadium wins NFL boss' backing|url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Ronnie-Lott-s-pitch-for-Raiders-stadium-wins-7964652.php|website=sfchronicle.com|publisher=San Francisco Chronicle|date=June 5, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202003055/http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/Ronnie-Lott-s-pitch-for-Raiders-stadium-wins-7964652.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

Nevada's legislature approved a $750&nbsp;million public subsidy for the proposed domed Las Vegas stadium in October 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gutierrez|first=Melody|title=Nevada Senate votes to help fund stadium for Raiders|url=http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Casino-owners-urge-Nevada-lawmakers-to-OK-new-9962783.php|website=sfgate.com|publisher=San Francisco Chronicle|date=October 11, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202021225/http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Casino-owners-urge-Nevada-lawmakers-to-OK-new-9962783.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Richardson|first=Seth|title=Raiders stadium deal passes Legislature, Sandoval to sign on Monday|url=http://www.rgj.com/story/news/politics/2016/10/13/live-coverage-day-3-special-session-raiders-stadium/91990630/|website=rgj.com|publisher=Reno Gazette-Journal/USA Today|date=October 14, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728025940/https://www.rgj.com/story/news/politics/2016/10/13/live-coverage-day-3-special-session-raiders-stadium/91990630/|url-status=live}}</ref> Davis informed his fellow NFL owners that he intended to file for relocation to Las Vegas following the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Trotter|first=Jim|title=Mark Davis tells owners he will file for Raiders' move to Vegas|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17834575/mark-davis-tells-owners-plans-file-raiders-move-las-vegas|website=ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN|date=October 19, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202013414/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17834575/mark-davis-tells-owners-plans-file-raiders-move-las-vegas|url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 28, 2016, the Raiders secured their first winning season since 2002 with a comeback win against the [[Carolina Panthers]], and on December 18, the team clinched their first postseason berth since 2002 with a victory over the San Diego Chargers. On December 20, 2016, the NFL announced that the Raiders would have seven Pro Bowl selections: [[Khalil Mack]], [[Derek Carr]], [[Amari Cooper]], [[Donald Penn]], [[Kelechi Osemele]], [[Rodney Hudson]] and [[Reggie Nelson]]. This was the most selections for the team since 1991, and the most for any team in the 2016 NFL season.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Paskal|first1=Eddie|title=Oakland Raiders Lead NFL With Seven Pro Bowl Selections|url=http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Oakland-Raiders-Lead-NFL-With-Seven-Pro-Bowl-Selections/ef881eb4-8c5b-48d9-b491-20bd7ae81fbc|website=raiders.com|access-date=March 22, 2017|date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323055450/http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Oakland-Raiders-Lead-NFL-With-Seven-Pro-Bowl-Selections/ef881eb4-8c5b-48d9-b491-20bd7ae81fbc|archive-date=March 23, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

As the fifth seed in the AFC in the [[2016–17 NFL playoffs|2016 NFL playoffs]], the Raiders faced the [[Houston Texans]] in the opening Wild Card round. With significant injuries hampering the team, including the loss of starting quarterback Carr in the second to last regular-season game, they lost to the Texans 27–14.<ref name="a141">{{cite web | agency=Associated Press | title=Raiders defeat the Colts, 33-25, but Derek Carr breaks a leg | website=Los Angeles Times | date=2016-12-25 | url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-raiders-colts-20161224-story.html | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref><ref name="c479">{{cite web | last=Rieken | first=Kristie | title=Raiders' playoff run is short Raiders' playoff run is short | website=Santa Rosa Press Democrat | date=2017-01-08 | url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/sports/short-playoff-return-for-raiders-with-27-14-loss-to-texans/ | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

The Raiders filed paperwork with the NFL on January 19, 2017, to relocate the club from Oakland to [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]] by the 2020 season.<ref name="RaidersVegas">{{cite news|title=Oakland Raiders file Las Vegas relocation paperwork|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/oakland-raiders-file-las-vegas-relocation-paperwork-0ap3000000776434|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=January 19, 2017|access-date=January 19, 2017|archive-date=January 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119191454/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000776434/article/oakland-raiders-file-las-vegas-relocation-paperwork|url-status=live}}</ref> The vote for the team's relocation took place on March 27, 2017,<ref>{{cite web|title=Owners may vote on Raiders proposed move next week|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18974779/vote-oakland-raiders-move-vegas-next-week|website=ESPN.com|access-date=March 22, 2017|date=March 22, 2017|archive-date=March 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322162316/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18974779/vote-oakland-raiders-move-vegas-next-week|url-status=live}}</ref> and the NFL approved the Raiders' relocation to Las Vegas by a 31–1 vote.<ref name="movevote">{{cite news|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-owners-approve-raiders-move-to-las-vegas-0ap3000000795413|title=NFL team owners approve Raiders' move to Las Vegas|last=Rosenthal|first=Gregg|date=March 27, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2017|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|archive-date=March 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327210509/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000795413/article/nfl-team-owners-approve-raiders-move-to-las-vegas|url-status=live}}</ref> Only the [[Miami Dolphins]] dissented the proposed move. Subsequently, the team announced that it would continue to be known as the Oakland Raiders for the 2017 and 2018 NFL seasons and play its games in Oakland for at least those two seasons.<ref name="RaidersMoveVegas">{{cite news|url=http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Raiders-Receive-NFL-Approval-For-Las-Vegas-Relocation/e189e436-1e3d-483c-8fa8-f88cfd4874d8?sf66137639=1|title=Raiders Receive NFL Approval For Las Vegas Relocation|author=Raiders Media Relations|date=March 27, 2017|access-date=March 28, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328110305/http://www.raiders.com/news/article-1/Raiders-Receive-NFL-Approval-For-Las-Vegas-Relocation/e189e436-1e3d-483c-8fa8-f88cfd4874d8?sf66137639=1|archive-date=March 28, 2017|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=Raiders.com}}</ref>

Prior to the [[2017 Oakland Raiders season|2017 season]], the Raiders signed quarterback Derek Carr to a then-NFL record contract extension of five years, $125&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/06/22/oakland-raiders-derek-carr-extension|title=Raiders reportedly sign Carr to $125M extension|work=SI.com|access-date=April 30, 2018|language=en|archive-date=May 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501010245/https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/06/22/oakland-raiders-derek-carr-extension|url-status=live}}</ref> Following their first trip to the playoffs in 14 years, the Raiders expected bigger things in 2017, with a return to the playoffs seeming likely.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/oakland-raiders-5-early-bold-predictions-for-2017-season-052117|title=Oakland Raiders: 5 Early bold predictions for 2017 season|date=May 21, 2017|work=FOX Sports|access-date=April 30, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=May 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501092719/https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/oakland-raiders-5-early-bold-predictions-for-2017-season-052117|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/raiders-predictions-final-record-playoff-odds-from-our-computers-experts-vegas/|title=Raiders predictions: Final record, playoff odds from our computers, experts, Vegas|work=CBSSports.com|access-date=April 30, 2018|language=en|archive-date=May 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501004549/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/raiders-predictions-final-record-playoff-odds-from-our-computers-experts-vegas/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Raider defense struggled mightily on the year under [[Ken Norton Jr.]], but later improved with [[John Pagano]] as the defensive coordinator and the Raider offense could not return to its previous year's form under first-year offensive coordinator [[Todd Downing]]. After winning the first two games of the season, the Raiders lost four straight and six of their next eight leaving them two games below .500 with six games remaining. They would win their next two games, but lose their final four games, ending the season a disappointing 6–10. On December 31, 2017, following a loss to the [[Los Angeles Chargers]] in Week 17, head coach Del Rio was fired by Mark Davis after being granted a four-year contract extension prior to the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000901236/article/raiders-fire-jack-del-rio|title=Oakland Raiders fire head coach Jack del Rio|publisher=NFL|access-date=January 1, 2018|archive-date=January 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101135310/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000901236/article/raiders-fire-jack-del-rio|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/oakland-raiders-extend-head-coach-jack-del-rio-021117|title=Oakland Raiders Extend Head Coach Jack Del Rio|date=February 11, 2017|work=FOX Sports|access-date=April 30, 2018|archive-date=May 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501004505/https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/oakland-raiders-extend-head-coach-jack-del-rio-021117|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Return of Jon Gruden and final years in Oakland (2018–2019)====
[[File:Brock Bowers 2 (cropped).jpg|190px|right|thumb|[[Brock Bowers]] is the single-season franchise receptions leader (112).]]
On January 6, 2018, the team announced the return of [[Jon Gruden]] as head coach.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gutierrez |first=Paul |date=January 6, 2018 |title=Raiders officially name Gruden new head coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21987900/jon-gruden-named-oakland-raiders-head-coach |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107050128/http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21987900/jon-gruden-named-oakland-raiders-head-coach |archive-date=January 7, 2018 |access-date=January 7, 2018 |work=ESPN.com}}</ref> Gruden returned to the Raiders and coaching after a nine-year stint with [[ESPN]] serving as analyst for [[Monday Night Football]]. Davis, who had reportedly been wanting to hire Gruden for six years, gave Gruden a 10-year contract worth an estimated $100&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saracevic |first=Al  |date=January 9, 2018 |title=Raiders owner Mark Davis tried to hire Jon Gruden for 6 years |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/raiders/article/Raiders-owner-Mark-Davis-wanted-to-hire-Jon-12485832.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093006/https://www.sfchronicle.com/raiders/article/Raiders-owner-Mark-Davis-wanted-to-hire-Jon-12485832.php |archive-date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=April 30, 2018 |work=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref><ref name="c926">{{cite web | last=Ostler | first=Scott | title=tied together, for better or worse | website=San Francisco Chronicle | date=2018-09-16 | url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/ostler/article/Raiders-Carr-and-Gruden-tied-together-for-13234183.php | access-date=2024-08-10}}</ref> One of the first major moves of the second Gruden era was a blockbuster trade that sent [[Khalil Mack]] who was holding out for a new contract to the [[Chicago Bears]] for two first-round draft picks, and later sent [[Amari Cooper]] to the [[Dallas Cowboys]] for another first-round draft pick.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gutierrez |first=Paul |date=2018-09-01 |title=Source: Bears give Mack record deal after trade |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24543080/chicago-bears-reach-agreement-trade-khalil-mack-oakland-raiders |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="n993">{{cite web | last=Archer | first=Todd | title=Cowboys trade 1st-round pick for Raiders' Cooper | website=ESPN.com | date=2018-10-22 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25055195/dallas-cowboys-trade-first-round-pick-oakland-raiders-amari-cooper | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> During the 2018 season the Raiders fired general manager [[Reggie McKenzie (linebacker)|Reggie McKenzie]], replacing him with [[NFL Network]]'s draft expert [[Mike Mayock]] for the 2019 season.<ref name="n968">{{cite web | last=Knoblauch | first=Austin | title=Raiders hire Mike Mayock as general manager | website=NFL.com | date=2018-12-31 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/raiders-hire-mike-mayock-as-general-manager-0ap3000001006476 | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> The Raiders finished 4–12 and in last place in the AFC West for the first time since 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2018 Oakland Raiders Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2018.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The next year, in what would be the last season of the team's second tenure in Oakland, the team posted a three-game turnaround with a 7–9 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 Oakland Raiders Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2019.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Las Vegas Raiders (2020–present) ===
{{Main|Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas}}
[[File:Josh_Jacobs_WFT_at_Raiders_-_51736817249_(cropped).jpg|190px|right|thumb|In the [[2022 NFL season|2022 season]] [[Josh Jacobs]] was the [[List of National Football League rushing champions|NFL rushing yards leader]] with 340 attempts, 1,653 rushing yards, and 12 rushing touchdowns. In addition, he had 53 receptions for 400 receiving yards.]]
[[File:Las_Vegas_Raiders_DE_98_Maxx_Crosby.jpg|190px|right|thumb|[[Maxx Crosby]] was drafted by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.]]

====Final years of the Gruden era and Rich Bisaccia (2020–2021)====
On January 22, 2020, it was announced that the Raiders had relocated to Las Vegas.<ref name="JScottNFL" /><ref name="LVRaiders" /> The Raiders played the [[2020 Las Vegas Raiders season|2020 season]] without fans in attendance for home games due to the ongoing [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="y581">{{cite web | last=Patra | first=Kevin | title=Raiders' Allegiant Stadium will be closed to fans for 2020 season | website=NFL.com | date=2020-08-03 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/raiders-allegiant-stadium-will-be-closed-to-fans-for-2020-season | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> They started the season 6–3, but lost five of their last seven games to finish the season 8–8 and miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.<ref name="w825">{{cite web | last=Reed | first=Tashan | title=Derek Carr has a big season and there's room for growth | website=The Athletic | date=2021-01-19 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2328799/2021/01/19/derek-carr-raiders-season-evaluation/ | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

A league investigation in 2021 revealed that Gruden had used racist, misogynistic, and homophobic language in emails in 2011 while working for ESPN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Breech |first=John |date=October 12, 2021 |title=Jon Gruden reveals more details from controversial emails, including vulgarity directed at Roger Goodell |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jon-gruden-reveals-more-details-from-controversial-emails-including-vulgarity-directed-at-roger-goodell/ |access-date=2021-10-14 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> The emails referred to NFL commissioner [[Roger Goodell]] as a "faggot" and a "clueless anti football pussy". He also said Goodell should not have pressured the Rams to draft "queers", referring to [[Michael Sam]], the first openly gay player drafted in NFL history. He also stated that players who [[U.S. national anthem protests (2016–present)|protest the National Anthem]] should be "fired", specifically referring to former [[San Francisco 49ers|49ers]] safety [[Eric Reid]]. Gruden also called then United States Vice President [[Joe Biden]] a "nervous clueless pussy".<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=The New York Times | date=October 11, 2021 | last1=Belson | first1=Ken | last2=Rosman | first2=Katherine | title=Raiders Coach's Emails Included Homophobic and Misogynistic Comments | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/11/sports/football/what-did-jon-gruden-say.html?}}</ref> He resigned on October 11, 2021, after more details of the emails were released by ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Belson|first1=Ken|last2=Rosman|first2=Katherine|date=2021-10-12|title=Raiders Coach Resigns After Homophobic and Misogynistic Emails|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/11/sports/football/what-did-jon-gruden-say.html|access-date=2021-10-14|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Statement from Jon Gruden |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/statement-from-jon-gruden |website=Raiders.com |access-date=October 12, 2021 |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012110519/https://www.raiders.com/news/statement-from-jon-gruden |url-status=dead }}</ref> Special Teams Coordinator, [[Rich Bisaccia]], was named the interim head coach of the Raiders following Gruden's resignation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Grant |date=October 11, 2021 |title=Jon Gruden resigns as Las Vegas Raiders head coach |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jon-gruden-resigns-as-las-vegas-raiders-head-coach |access-date=2021-10-12 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Shortly after the resignation, owner Mark Davis refused to comment on the controversy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bumbaca |first=Chris |date=October 13, 2021 |title='They have all the answers': Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis defers to NFL on Jon Gruden emails |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/raiders/2021/10/13/mark-davis-jon-gruden-emails-nfl-raiders/8439821002/ |access-date=2021-10-14 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>

On November 2, 2021, starting wide receiver [[Henry Ruggs]] was arrested and charged with multiple felonies after killing a woman in a car crash.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gutierrez |first=Paul |date=November 2, 2021 |title=Las Vegas Raiders WR Henry Ruggs faces two felony charges in fatal crash |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32534609/las-vegas-raiders-wr-henry-ruggs-charged-dui-resulting-death |access-date=November 17, 2021 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Later that day, the Raiders released Ruggs.<ref name="z472">{{cite web | last=Gutierrez | first=Paul | title=Las Vegas Raiders release WR Henry Ruggs III, who faces two felony charges in fatal crash | website=ESPN.com | date=2021-11-03 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32538903/las-vegas-raiders-release-wr-henry-ruggs-iii-fatal-crash | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> On November 8, cornerback [[Damon Arnette]] was released after a video surfaced of him brandishing firearms.<ref name="v034">{{cite web | last=Patra | first=Kevin | title=Raiders releasing former first-round CB Damon Arnette | website=NFL.com | date=2021-11-08 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/raiders-releasing-former-first-round-cb-damon-arnette | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> The Raiders finished with a 10–7 record and earned a Wild Card playoff berth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Las Vegas Raiders Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2021.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="d246">{{cite web | last=Kerr | first=Jeff | title=2021 NFL playoff picture, standings: Raiders avoid tie and beat Chargers in overtime; Steelers in as a result | website=CBSSports.com | date=2022-01-10 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2021-nfl-playoff-picture-standings-raiders-avoid-tie-and-beat-chargers-in-overtime-steelers-in-as-a-result/ | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> The Raiders saw their season end with a 26–19 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card Round.<ref name="o535">{{cite web | last=Wilner | first=Barry | title=Bengals hold on, finally win in playoffs, 26-19 over Raiders | website=AP News | date=2022-01-16 | url=https://apnews.com/article/nfl-sports-cincinnati-bengals-las-vegas-raiders-derek-carr-125a6b2cb009f8dd23e89895ce58674f | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

====Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler era (2022–2023)====
On January 30, 2022, the Raiders announced the hiring of [[Dave Ziegler]] as general manager.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Raiders hire Dave Ziegler as General Manager|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-hire-dave-ziegler-as-general-manager|publisher=Las Vegas Raiders|date=January 30, 2022|access-date=January 30, 2022|language=en-US|archive-date=January 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130195330/https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-hire-dave-ziegler-as-general-manager|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ziegler was previously the director of player personnel for the [[New England Patriots]] and served in the Patriots scouting department from 2013 to 2021. On January 31, 2022, the Raiders announced the hiring of [[Josh McDaniels]] as head coach.<ref name="j747">{{cite web | title=Raiders hiring Josh McDaniels as head coach | website=NBC Sports | date=2022-01-30 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/raiders-hiring-josh-mcdaniels-as-head-coach | access-date=2024-08-10}}</ref> On February 4, 2022, the Raiders announced the hiring of [[Patrick Graham (American football)|Patrick Graham]] as defensive coordinator.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/raiders-hiring-patrick-graham-as-defensive-coordinator|title=Raiders hiring Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator|last=Gordon|first=Grant|date=February 4, 2022|website=[[NFL.com]]|publisher=National Football League|access-date=February 4, 2022}}</ref> In the 2022 season, the Raiders finished with a 6–11 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 Las Vegas Raiders Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2022.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Following the season, the Raiders released Derek Carr.<ref name="k393">{{cite web | last=Gutierrez | first=Paul | title=Raiders release QB Derek Carr before contract deadline | website=ESPN.com | date=2023-02-14 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35659897/source-raiders-release-qb-derek-carr-contract-deadline | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref>

In response to the release of Derek Carr, the Raiders signed [[Jimmy Garoppolo]] and drafted [[Aidan O'Connell]].<ref name="a609">{{cite web | last=Edholm | first=Eric | title=Las Vegas Raiders signing QB Jimmy Garoppolo to three-year, $72.75 million contract | website=NFL.com | date=2023-03-13 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/raiders-sign-quarterback-jimmy-garoppolo | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref><ref name="s946">{{cite web | last=Patra | first=Kevin | title=Raiders trade up to select Purdue QB Aidan O'Connell at end of Round 4 of 2023 NFL Draft | website=NFL.com | date=2023-04-29 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/raiders-trade-up-to-select-purdue-qb-aidan-o-connell-at-end-of-round-4-of-2023-n | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> On October 31, 2023, the Raiders parted ways with head coach [[Josh McDaniels]] and general manager [[Dave Ziegler]]. Linebackers coach [[Antonio Pierce]] was named interim head coach and assistant general manager [[Champ Kelly]] was named interim general manager for the remainder of the [[2023 Las Vegas Raiders season|2023 season]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-31 |title=The Las Vegas Raiders relieve Josh McDaniels and David Ziegler of their duties |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/the-las-vegas-raiders-relieve-josh-mcdaniels-and-david-ziegler-of-their-duties/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=Raiders.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-name-antonio-pierce-as-interim-head-coach |title=Raiders name Antonio Pierce as Interim Head Coach |date=November 1, 2023 |website=Raiders.com |language=en |access-date=November 1, 2023}}</ref> On December 14, 2023, the team set a franchise record of most points scored in a game by scoring 63 points in their 63–21 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Quick Snap: Raiders put up franchise record 63 points against Chargers|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/quick-snap-raiders-put-up-franchise-record-63-points-against-chargers|date=December 14, 2023 |first=Levi|last=Edwards|website=Raiders.com |language=en |access-date=December 14, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39116790/raiders-hang-team-record-63-points-banged-chargers|title=Raiders hang team-record 63 points on banged-up Chargers|first=Paul|last=Guiterrez|publisher=ESPN|date=December 14, 2023|accessdate=December 14, 2023}}</ref> The Raiders finished with a 8–9 record (5–4 mark under Antonio Pierce) that saw a 20–14 upset victory over the Chiefs on Christmas Day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 Las Vegas Raiders Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2023.htm |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="w566">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-25 |title=NFL on Christmas: Raiders upset Chiefs on road in opener |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2023-12-25/nfl-christmas-day-raiders-upset-chiefs-eagles-giants-49ers-ravens |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Los Angeles Times|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The team removed the interim tag from Pierce in January 2024, making him head coach of the franchise.<ref name="h533">{{cite web | last=Gutierrez | first=Paul | title=Raiders remove interim tag, name Antonio Pierce head coach | website=ESPN.com | date=2024-01-19 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39344707/raiders-working-finalize-deal-antonio-pierce | access-date=2024-07-30}}</ref> After one season where he led the Raiders to a 4–13 record including a ten game losing streak, Pierce was fired as head coach and replaced with former Seahawks head coach [[Pete Carroll]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-24 |title=Carroll returns to NFL sideline as Raiders coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43547026/sources-pete-carroll-agrees-3-year-deal-coach-raiders |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>