When the Raiders fired defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. last week, it sure looked like the former linebacker was the victim of a scapegoating, following a 33-8 loss to the Patriots that saw Oakland, who many projected to win the division, fall to 4-6 on the year.
Assistant head coach John Pagano took over for Norton Jr. as the team’s defensive coordinator for their clash with the Broncos on Sunday, and the defense responded, allowing the fewest points they have all season (14) — albeit against maybe the worst quarterback in the NFL — and eked out a 21-14 win to keep their unlikely playoff hopes alive.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport joined Murph & Mac on Monday morning, and said he believes that Oakland’s improvement on the defensive end Sunday wasn’t a fluke, and that Pagano may actually be an upgrade over Norton Jr.
“Firing Ken Norton, I think it’s going to end up being good,” Rapoport said. “I’m not saying he’s the cause of all problems but John Pagano is very, very, very good. He is very good. He is one of the more respected coordinators in the league. I thought there was a chance that he’d be hired and just become the defensive coordinator outright before the year.”
Pagano has been a defensive coach in the NFL since 1996, and served as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator from 2012-2016.
“He is very good at his job. I know that because he would frustrate Payton Manning and Adam Gase like you wouldn’t believe when he was with the Chargers. He’d go against the best and be very good. I think that is going to help this defense immensely.”
The Raiders’ defense is currently ranked worst in the NFL according to Football Outsiders. Their offense is ranked ninth overall.
Listen to the full interview below. To hear Rapoport’s comments on the Raiders, skip to 6:20.