The Las Vegas Raiders’ season has gone off the rails, much to the frustration of Coco Gauff’s former coach, Brad Gilbert. Their sixth straight defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, November 30, officially ended their playoff hopes. As criticism mounted, Gilbert weighed in with a pointed suggestion online.
Coco Gauff’s Former Coach Brad Gilbert Calls for Major Changes Following Las Vegas Raiders’ Crushing Loss to Los Angeles Chargers
Little has gone the Raiders’ way in 2025, and their struggles have left fans, including Gauff’s former coach Brad Gilbert, increasingly concerned. The Raiders entered Sunday’s AFC West matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers as heavy underdogs, and the result unfolded exactly along those lines.
While the first half at SoFi Stadium offered only a hint of competition, the Chargers took complete control after the break. Playing through an injury to his non-throwing hand, Justin Herbert fired two touchdown passes, and Kimani Vidal sealed the rout with a 59-yard scoring sprint in a commanding 31–14 win over the Raiders.
The season proved utterly underwhelming for Tom Brady’s team, especially after bringing in legendary head coach Pete Carroll and veteran quarterback Geno Smith this offseason. Sunday’s sixth consecutive loss all but ended their playoff hopes.
Heading into Week 13, Geno Smith led the league in interceptions, tossing 13 picks in just 11 games. Such a turnover-prone season has perhaps hampered the Raiders and could push them to prioritize a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. In the wake of their recent defeat, Gilbert suggested that the team rebuild completely and demote Smith to the practice squad.
“Memo 📝 to Coach Carroll this @Raiders season is completely over, were playing for high draft pic, get all the rookies in the game and get Geno to practice squad asap,” he wrote on X.
Memo 📝 to Coach Carroll this @Raiders season is completely over, were playing for high draft pic, get all the rookies in the game and get Geno to practice squad asap
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) November 30, 2025
While the Raiders struggled, Brock Bowers once again delivered a show-stopping moment on Sunday. It happened in the fourth quarter when the Raiders trailed 24-7. On second-and-goal from the 6-yard line, Smith’s low, behind-the-back pass seemed likely to be a throwaway. Yet second-year tight end Brock Bowers reached out, snatched it one-handed while tumbling backward, secured it to his chest, and landed both feet in the end zone for a stunning touchdown.
Gilbert also took note of Bowers’ effort and praised that on X. However, he even questioned why the rest of the players don’t throw to him often, highlighting the team’s ‘zero sense of urgency.’
“that is absolutely 💯 amazing TD catch by Bowers, begs the question 🙋♂️ why don’t they throw to him way more, also @Raiders have zero sense of urgency when trailing big,” he said.
that is absolutely 💯 amazing TD catch by Bowers, begs the question 🙋♂️ why don’t they throw to him way more, also @Raiders have zero sense of urgency when trailing big
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) November 30, 2025
Beyond tennis, Gilbert has demonstrated his passion for football, regularly following the Raiders and sharing candid postgame reactions online. After their 10–24 loss to the Cleveland Browns on November 23, the 64-year-old labeled the performance an all-time low and called for the immediate dismissal of the team’s leadership.
The American criticized the Raiders for conservative play, throwing short on third down and rarely taking fourth-down risks.