In that game, coach Jon Gruden made the controversial decision to run out the clock, despite being in position to score a touchdown. Daniel Carlson’s 22-yard field goal gave Las Vegas a 25-23 lead with 23 seconds remaining, but a double-whammy of a play from Miami — a 34-yard connection between Ryan Fitzpatrick and Mack Hollins, coupled with a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty by Arden Key — set the Dolphins up for the game-winning 44-yard field goal.
According to a report The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, Agholor — who caught five passes for 155 yards and a score in the loss — blasted his teammates for what he described as low energy and no accountability in any of the team’s three straight losses.
From Tafur’s article:
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Agholor told his teammates that they sucked."
Per Tafur, Agholor’s speech was met with silence; not even Gruden responded. The coach, asked for a comment for the story, reportedly texted Tafur, “I love Agholor.”
The receiver’s message apparently stuck: The next week, Las Vegas beat the Broncos 32-31 to go 8-8 and avoid a losing season — small comfort after starting the season 6-3.
Agholor is set to hit the free-agent market after his lone season with the Raiders, but any team, Las Vegas included, would love to have a player with his leadership ability.
