NFL Network’s Mike Mayock interviewed for Raiders’ GM job

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An NFL Network analyst could join Jon Gruden in a high-profile switch from the broadcast booth.

Mike Mayock, arguably the face of the network’s draft coverage, recently interviewed for the Raiders’ general manager vacancy, he confirmed Sunday. He spoke from inside the Arrowhead Stadium press box, having just finished his lunch before the Raiders kicked off against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Minutes earlier, two of Mayock’s co-workers broke the news of his interview.

“What, is that out now?” Mayock said when notified of the report. “All I can say is I had an interview. I know they’ve interviewed a whole bunch of guys. And I have no idea the status.”

Mayock, 60, was a defensive back at Boston College.

He experienced a brief NFL career as an athlete, the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting him during the 10th round of the 1981 draft. He played for the New York Giants in 1982 and 1983 but became better known for the broadcasting career that followed.

Although versed in calling games, he has carved a niche as a draft analyst.

Such roles include coverage of the Senior Bowl each January from Mobile, Alabama. He is highly respected within the sports media community for conference calls that span multiple hours. During those, he fields questions from across the country about various prospects and leaguewide trends.

Like Gruden did for ESPN, Mayock occupies a premium analyst seat during draft coverage each year.

Perhaps he will follow Gruden into Oakland’s war room.

“He loves it,” Gruden said of Mayock. “He is a passionate, passionate personnel man. He has done it for a long time. I know he has had opportunities to get back into the NFL as a general manager. We will see what happens.”

Regarding his presence at Sunday’s game, Mayock said that he was “scheduled to be here anyway.”

On Sunday, NFL Network also reported that the Raiders have fulfilled their Rooney Rule requirement. That means they can fill their GM vacancy whenever they see fit. Gruden indicated that he’d prefer make the hire sooner rather than later.

The Raiders fired general manager Reggie McKenzie on Dec. 9.

“We have interviewed some people,” Gruden said. “Hopefully, we come to a conclusion and get on with life because we have a number of picks in this year’s draft, and we plan on doing a good job researching these players and add some real weapons to our football team.”

Money ball

Seth Roberts kept count.

The Raiders wide receiver entered Sunday’s 35-3 loss to the Chiefs with 40 catches on the year. His contract includes bonuses for reception totals. He stood to collect a $150,000 perfomance incentive for reaching 45 receptions.

“Yeah, I knew how many I needed to catch,” Roberts said.

Roberts caught them all, recording five receptions for 31 yards at Arrowhead Stadium. Each reception came in the first three quarters. He narrowly missed this same bonus last year when finishing with 43 receptions for 455 yards and a touchdown.

He ended 2018 at 45 catches for 497 yards and two scores.

“It’s nice,” Roberts said. “I’m glad I got it because last year I didn’t get it. I think I missed it by one or two catches. I’m thankful for that.”

Notable

— The Raiders know their opponents for 2019. Beside the AFC West, they will host the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and Cincinnati Bengals. On the road, they will face the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.

— After a one-game absence, Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley cleared concussion protocol on Friday and started Sunday at left cornerback. He recorded his third interception of the season when Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes underthrew a deep pass for wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

— Rookie defensive tackle Mo Hurst Jr. did not play Sunday. He suffered a high ankle sprain on Nov. 25 at the Baltimore Ravens and missed the final two games.

— Rookie kicker Daniel Carlson converted his lone field-goal attempt in the second quarter from 50 yards. That capped the most accurate season in Raiders franchise history. Carlson finished 94.1 percent on 16-of-17 kicking. Sebastian Janikowski was the previous record holder with a 91.2 percent rate in 2012. The Minnesota Vikings cut Carlson after the first two games.

— Tight end Derek Carrier suffered a concussion Sunday.

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Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @GehlkenNFL on Twitter.