It’s a busy time for the Raiders and every other NFL team on the hunt for a new head coach, and as of Tuesday morning, only one head coaching vacancy had been filled around the league.
The New England Patriots were set on bringing back Mike Vrabel the minute the season ended, and they announced the hiring of Vrabel early Sunday morning.
For the remaining six teams without a head coach, there are likely scenarios to play out, but still a lot to determine in the days ahead. And, as always, nothing is final until it is official.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Dan Graziano took on the exercise of predicting the outcome of each coaching hire around the league. With the exception of the Raiders, the commentary along with each coach does not belong to Graziano…
Chicago Bears: Brian Flores, Vikings defensive coordinator
Flores would change the culture in Chicago, but would it be for the better?
This is a risky landing spot for Flores because he can’t afford to have another failure with a young quarterback. Caleb Williams was one of the most highly touted quarterbacks to ever enter the draft, but the first-year quarterback is going to come with challenges in Chicago.
Is Flores the guy that can turn Williams into the NFL quarterback the scouting community projected him to be a year ago?
Probably not, if you ask Tua Tagovailoa.
Dallas Cowboys: Kellen Moore, Eagles offensive coordinator
One way or another, it feels like Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is going to find a way screw up his head coaching search. He’s already behind the curve in the interview process on account of ignoring Mike McCarthy’s contract until it essentially expired this week.
Kellen Moore is a swing for the fences (high risk, high reward), but an organization like the Cowboys should be able to draw in a more proven candidate than Moore. When the process is over, it’s probably going to play out that the Cowboys didn’t even interview some of the best candidates on the market.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Joe Brady, Bills offensive coordinator
The Bills have enjoyed a fine year on offense, but unless Josh Allen is coming with Brady to Jacksonville, this doesn’t seem like an exciting hire.
The Jaguars were once considered among the favorites to hire Ben Johnson. Getting Brady instead seems like a major disappointment.
New Orleans Saints: Aaron Glenn, Lions defensive coordinator
There have been a lot of nice things said about Glenn over the last few years. If even half of those things are true, the Saints will get a major upgrade with Glenn as their head coach.
The Saints have an aging roster and huge decisions coming on their roster. If it’s a full rebuild in New Orleans, Glenn is going to have a steep hill to climb in the years ahead.
New York Jets: Arthur Smith, Steelers offensive coordinator
After three consecutive 7-10 seasons, the Falcons couldn’t wait to move on from Arthur Smith after the 2023 season.
Of course the Jets would end up with Smith as their head coach a year later.
Las Vegas Raiders: Ben Johnson, Lions offensive coordinator
No one thought Johnson would interview with the Raiders, but Tom Brady managed to get his foot in the door and now Johnson is the coach everyone is talking about taking the job in Las Vegas.
From his insider piece, here is Graziano’s take on Johnson and the Raiders…
“This definitely would not have been the spot people picked for Johnson when this process started. But I have been told new minority owner Tom Brady has been making a personal appeal to Johnson and trying to sell him on coming to Las Vegas to build a program together with a new GM. (The Raiders also fired GM Tom Telesco last week after only one season.)
There are major questions about who will play quarterback for the Raiders in the short and long term. But if team owner Mark Davis wants Brady to have an influence here, and Johnson is the guy Brady wants, then he and his incoming GM would likely have a long runway to build that program around whatever the QB solution ends up being. Las Vegas’ 4.8 yards per play ranked 28th in the NFL this season, while Johnson’s offense in Detroit was third at 6.2.
If the Raiders can’t get Johnson, I’d keep an eye on former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo as other possible candidates.“
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vinny Bonsignore, there are “a lot of things lining up” for Johnson and the Raiders, but if Johnson doesn’t take the job, Pete Carroll will likely be the team’s no. 2 option.
x: @raidersbeat
If they don’t get Johnson at this point, it’s a failure.
That said, if not him I’d hire Vance Joseph before Carroll. Knows the division & has the respect of his players
Johnson or Carroll in that order