Now the Raiders honors are coming in more than one per day. On the same day as Jack Del Rio was named the Greasy Neale Professional Coach of the Year, the Pro Football Writers Association has named General Manager Reggie McKenzie as Executive of the Year.
McKenzie is credited for overseeing the construction of the Raiders resurgent team the past couple seasons. The foundation was set by the drafting of Derek Carr and Khalil Mack back in 2014, but much of the talent that took this team to the next level was added in the 2016 offseason.
Key additions include Kelechi Osemele who for the first time was a Pro Bowler and named first team All Pro, Bruce Irvin who added pass rush opposite Mack, Pro Bowl safety Reggie Nelson, cornerback Sean Smith, and Perry Riley Jr who was signed off the street after week four to take over at middle linebacker.
McKenzie also locked in 2015 additions Michael Crabtree and David Amerson on extensions last year to avoid having to deal with the possibility of losing them as free agents last offseason.
Along with signing key free agents to team friendly deals without long term dead money, McKenzie has worked well with his scouting staff and coaches which has resulted in a complete turnaround from a team that was 3-13 just two seasons ago to 12-4 and their first winning record and playoff berth in 14 years.
McKenzie is just the second ever Raiders Executive of the Year. The other was Al Davis in 2002.
Also earning PFWA honors this year was Khalil Mack who was named Defensive Player of the Year.
Del Rio was not named PFWA Coach of the Year. That went to Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett.
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