(UPDATE) Raiders trade P.J. Hall days after critical comments by coach and GM

The Las Vegas Raiders have decided to release defensive tackle P.J. Hall, the second pick of Jon Gruden’s second tenure with the franchise, according to Ian Rapoport.

Update: Adam Schefter says Hall was actually traded to the Minnesota Vikings. They received a conditional 7th round pick in 2021.

It was only last week that Gruden, with no subtly, told the media that Hall came into camp overweight last year and that it was not acceptable at the defensive tackle position.

“P.J. Hall, [Maurice] Hurst, [Arden] Key, those are three guys that we used high draft picks on. Arden has to stay healthy, P.J. Hall, I’m anxious to see where his weight is, he came in overweight last year and at that position that can’t happen. Maurice Hurst has had some good moments, but we need these guys to burst on the scene no question.”

Similarly, general manager Mike Mayock, who wasn’t with the Raiders when they selected Hall in 2018, didn’t seem too optimistic when it came to Hall conforming to new defensive line coach Rod Marinelli.

“P.J.’s got a challenge,” Mayock said, via Vic Tafur. “We have a new defensive line coach coming in, and trust me, Rod Marinelli doesn’t put up with anything but 100% hustle. Nothing but.”

Hall played at Sam Houston State and ran a 4.73 40-yard dash at the combine at 308 pounds. But he wasn’t nimble enough for whatever weight he’s been at in the NFL and apparently the GM and coaches had seen enough. Hall played in all 16 games last season, recording 26 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

The Raiders signed Maliek Collins in the offseason and still have Johnathan Hankins, among others. It seems that for now, Gruden is more hopeful for Maurice Hurst than Hall.