Las Vegas Raiders DC Patrick Graham doesn’t need to return in 2026

SB Nation

There has been incredible turnover for the Las Vegas Raiders’ coaching staff in recent years.

Patrick Graham, however, has been a constant.

Graham has been the Raiders’ defensive coordinator since 2022 when

he joined new head coach Josh McDaniels’ staff as a highly-touted hire. Graham was then retained by new head coach Antonio Pierce in 2024 and new head coach Pete Carroll in 2025. It’s pretty rare in the league for a high-level assistant coach to be retained by two additional head coaches.

Now, frankly, though, it’s time for Graham to leave the Raiders.

Many in the NFL are assuming the team will walk away from Carroll one this disastrous one season with the club. If so, whoever the new coach is, needs to find his own defensive coordinator. It’s just time. It wouldn’t make much sense for the team or for Raiders to run it back for a fourth tenure

If the Raiders’ reset, they need to do it in all forms of the coaching staff. A new system, direction and voice are needed at all the key spots. Graham is a solid coach and he has done some good things with the Raiders, but his time should be up if Carroll leaves.

Frankly, if somehow the Raiders do keep Carroll, it doesn’t mean Graham will stay. Carroll’s first season with the Raiders has featured him scapegoating assistants. He has already fired special teams coach Tom McMahon and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Carroll dump the last remaining coordinator in the offseason if he is retained in an attempt to show some sort of offseason change.

In the end, it is probably best for Graham for him to leave as well. Everyone ends a fresh start. When he came to Las Vegas Graham was considered be a top head-coaching candidate and he has received some interviews in recent head-coaching hiring cycles. But his career is stalling in Las Vegas.