The Oakland Raiders have not had sustained success in over a decade and the franchise is working to change that in the near future, as they are looking at former Cleveland Browns executive and Green Bay Packers head coach Mike Holmgren for a possible front office leadership position.
According to ESPN.com, sources say that Holmgren has met with the team about the position and is currently in Europe on vacation. The report says that Holmgren would be a good fit for the organization, as he has a relationship with Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie since both have worked with the Packers organization.
The Raiders have been trying to find an executive to help run the team and according to the report they have been talking to Ray Anderson, the NFL's senior vice president of football operations. The team has lacked steady leadership since the death of owner Al Davis and are looking for someone who could help the team build a new stadium.
Holmgren was previously with the Cleveland Browns from 2010 to 2012, but he was relieved of his duties after Jimmy Haslam became the new owner. Holmgren oversaw a number of losing seasons and drafted both quarterback Brandon Weeden and running back Trent Richardson.
Holmgren was also a team executive with the Seahawks and would be coming to an Oakland team that went 4-12 last season.
The Raiders have spent the offseason looking for a new executive and they are also planning to work with quarterback Carson Palmer to restructure his deal with the team, according to league sources that spoke to ESPN.com.
The 33-year-old is set to make $13 million next season and team could use some salary cap relief heading into the offseason. Last year Palmer threw for 4,018 yards with 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions after being acquired the previous year from the Cincinnati Bengals for a 2012 first-round draft pick and a second-round selection in the 2013 draft.
The Raiders could be in the market for a quarterback on draft day and the team has also expressed interest in getting more playing time for backup Terrelle Pryor next year. Pryor passed for 13-for-28 for 150 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in place of Palmer in a 24-21 loss to San Diego after being drafted out of Ohio State.
Oakland dealt with a number of injuries last season, including to running back Darren McFadden and the Raiders could be looking for a running back and a quarterback in the upcoming draft. Some possibilities include Arizona quarterback Matt Scott and Stanford running back Stepfan Taylor.
