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Oakland Raiders: Best free agent moves of the Reggie McKenzie era

By Kevin Saito

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: (L-R) Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis, Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden and Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie look on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: (L-R) Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis, Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden and Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie look on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
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Oakland Raiders
KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 03: Free safety Charles Woodson /

Charles Woodson (2013)

Back in 2013, the Raiders weren’t even close to contending for anything. McKenzie was still trying to get the team’s salary cap situation under control and assemble a roster that could compete in the NFL.

That didn’t stop him though, from bringing back a Raider legend, longtime NFL vet, and absolute fan favorite, Charles Woodson.

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    • It was a smart move, PR-wise. But more than that, bringing Woodson back from Green Bay – an organization that has a winning culture and tradition – it was a smart move as McKenzie tried to establish the same sort of culture and tradition in Oakland once more.

    Woodson, a fifteen-year vet at that point, played another three seasons with the Raiders – starting all 48 games across that three-year span. He played hurt. He played tired. He was out there playing on one leg or one arm at times.

    No matter the situation, Woodson continued to grind. The hope was that he would rub off on youngsters like D.J. Hayden and others – to no avail in some cases. But, Woodson was a professional until his very last day in Oakland and exemplified the team’s motto – Commitment to Excellence.

    Over his final three years with the team, Woodson defensed 20 passes, and hauled in 10 interceptions – five in his final year alone. And that year, he played with a bum shoulder for most of the year, which only adds to his legend and legacy.

    Bringing Woodson back to the East Bay didn’t translate to a lot of wins, but it did begin the culture shift that has the Raiders looking like a team poised to start winning again.

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