With second interviews completed with a a trio of coaching candidates, the Las Vegas Raiders head coach search hit another gear this week.
The team officially confirmed a pair of defensive-minded candidates — Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who is slated to be the next Baltimore Ravens head coach — had second, in-person interviews while another — former Miami Dolphins head coach and potentially the next Chargers offensive
coordinator Mike McDaniel — reportedly had a similar in-persons sit-down with Raiders brass this past Monday, but wasn’t confirmed by Las Vegas.
Compliance Met
- The Raiders official list has 14 candidates who were interviewed and the in-person talks with Evero and McDaniel put the Silver & Black in compliance with the Rooney Rule (requires teams to have in-person interviews with two external minority candidates before making a hire).
While Evero is a sound defensive mind — we all know how much the Raiders defense needs some TLC — and would be solid choices to become the next head coach, Las Vegas would be wise to seek a strong offensive mind to captain the ship.
This isn’t to say that neither Minter nor Evero can’t land a quality offensive coordinator to be the architect and orchestrate the next rendition of the Raiders offense.
If either were hired, they’d be apt to ensure the offensive side of the ball gets as much attention as the defense considering the team owns the No. 1 overall selection in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. And the assumption is Las Vegas uses that pick to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza — once the signal caller declares his intent to enter the draft.
To maximize the return on a massive investment the Raiders may make at the all-important quarterback position, a quality offensive coordinator and quarterback coach is a must. Hence why an offensive-minded head coach is vital for the Silver & Black.
And that’s reportedly the way the team is leaning.
The main reason why a candidate such as Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, and Denver Broncos offensive pass game coordinator/quarterback coach Davis Webb (to name a few) are ideal candidates for the Raiders gig is a practical one.
A head coach contract is typically a four- to five-year pact ensuring a long-haul approach. And hiring an offensive-minded coach like Kubiak, LaFleur, or Webb is a sound approach for the development of the presumed top pick Mendoza as the head man leading the Raiders coaching staff.
If that responsibility were tied to an offensive coordinator hire presuming Minter and Evero (or another defensive-minded coach) landing the gig, the timeframe is must more compact in comparison. And the reason is simple: An offensive coordinator being tethered to a defensive-minded coach can flourish, and get cherry picked by another team to become the head coach.
Stunting the continued growth of Mendoza and other key elements of the Raiders offense — like tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty at the top of the list — can be detrimental. And having a long-haul head coach versus an offensive coordinator/quarterback coach provides long-term stability.
Now I know what you’re thinking. Stability and Raiders are not synonymous. And you’re right based on historical data. But to change the narrative, Las Vegas must move forward.
The choice Las Vegas general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady make at head coach will have a ripple effect on how the team shapes up this offseason.
Brady, who is the lead NFL analyst for Fox Sports, does have some solid silvering lining this weekend as he’s slated to call the NFC Championship game between the Rams and host Seahawks. He’ll get to see Kubiak, LaFleur, and even Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, from a bird’s eye view once more in the broadcast booth. That’ll give the minority owner even more insight to help him and Spytek make an informed decision.
Lastly, during all the news of coaching vacancies (such as the Buffalo Bills firing Sean McDermott) and hirings (Kevin Stefanski to the Atlanta Falcons and Jeff Hafley to the Miami Dolphins, and McDaniel to the Chargers), I got to contemplating: Has Kliff Kingsbury landed a job since the Washington Commanders decided to move on from their former offensive coordinator?
It’s been quiet on the Kingsbury front, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler brought up an interesting item: If Webb lands a head coach gig — he’s on the Raiders’, Ravens’, and potentially Bills’ radar — Kingsbury is being floated as Webb’s offensive coordinator. I mention this as Brady and Kingsbury have a decades-long friendship dating back to when both were quarterbacks for the New England Patriots in 2003.
That all said, Las Vegas’ next head coach hire likely won’t happen for a bit. As presumed prime candidates are in their respective conference title tilts this weekend.
But clarity will be upon us next week — hopefully.
