The Raiders have found their next head coach in Pete Carroll, and the burning question around the team now involves the matter of his coordinators.
It has been rumored that Patrick Graham is still open to the idea of returning, but that scenario is considered unlikely. Graham’s contract with the Raiders is expiring after the season and he is expected to be looking at other opportunities. It will be difficult to find an upgrade to Graham, but Carroll is well-connected around the league, particularly among defensive coaches.
There are a few familiar names that have been linked to the Raiders to replace Graham, but it’s the offensive coordinator hire that everyone is watching to see what Carroll is going to do.
The Raiders have been a disappointment on offense since Jon Gruden left the organization in 2021, and with no clear answer at quarterback, it’s imperative that the team make a good decision on their next offensive coordinator.
As of this weekend, The Athletic’s Tashan Reed believes the offensive coordinator candidate most likely to join Carroll in Las Vegas is a coach who filled the same role for Carroll in Seattle.
“There’s going to be some guys that he’s worked with before, and I think Darrell Bevel is probably the hottest name for them in terms of having the most momentum at offensive coordinator,” Reed said on the Just Win podcast. “But they do have to conduct a full search at both OC and DC. Because of the Rooney Rule, you have to interview at least two diverse candidates for both of those spots.”
In a column last week at The Athletic, Reed called Bevell the “likeliest candidate” to get the Raiders offensive coordinator job.
“Miami Dolphins quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell is the likeliest candidate to land the Raiders’ OC job, according to a league source,” Reed reported. “Bevell was the Seahawks’ OC from 2011 to 2017 and helped them win Super Bowl XLVIII. He has also been an OC with three other teams: the Minnesota Vikings (2006-2010), Detroit Lions (2019-2020) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2021). He has been with the Dolphins since 2022 and has helped the offense find success with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.”
If Bevell joins Carroll again, there’s a chance their former quarterback could make the trip to Las Vegas, as well.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, some believe Russell Wilson will be a top QB target for the Raiders in the offseason.
”I reached out to a few former Carroll lieutenants in Seattle. Both expect Carroll to be a great fit in Las Vegas, but they also both pointed out, they would not be surprised if Carroll reached out to Russell Wilson, possibly trying to sign the free agent, make amends for what went wrong at the end of that Seattle era,” Fowler said on Friday. “One of them even pointed out that Carroll and Wilson began to rekindle their relationship about a year ago or so,” Fowler added. “Wilson has always been intrigued by wearing the Black & Silver so it could be a back pocket item for later.”
Wilson had a respectable season for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 and it is unclear, as of now, if the Steelers hope to bring back the 36-year-old quarterback in 2025.
For his part, Wilson was on the Pat McAfee Show last week and he didn’t sound like someone thinking about retirement. He also didn’t sound like someone hoping to find a new team.
“Obviously, this year was an exciting year in a lot of ways,” Wilson told McAfee. “It was tough at the end, obviously. We didn’t get it done, but I’ve got so much more in me, man. I’m excited. My goal is to be with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a long time, hopefully finish my career there, God willing. I’m just trusting God and the process.”
“Yes, we have been starting to talk a little bit,” Wilson continued. “Obviously, we’ve had our meetings and everything else. We’re kind of just getting into it. I think that it’s an exciting time, obviously, to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and the opportunity of what we can do. I think at the same time, Omar [Khan] and coach Tomlin, I really love those guys, and who they are, and the team that we can put together.”
x: @raidersbeat
Bevel and sign Darnold. Draft OL heavy. Do NOT draft a Q in this draft.
Elevate Little to DC.
Sorry but Tom Brady wants Shedeur to be the Raiders QB. That’s just what it is 🤷🏾♂️
OC – Bevel
OLine coach – Cable – he maybe disgruntled after the Raiders fired him as coach and with gruden 2.0
Raiders still have coaching holes to fill. QB, WR, RB, OLINE coaches. The whole defensive side of the house coaches.
Starting from scratch AGAIN.
When Pete Carroll starts to show signs of success for the Raiders, something will happen to kick the Raiders organization back down to the bottom. Expect another coaching hire 2026 or 2027.
No way. Bevel is nothing especially when guys like Mike McCarthy & Klint Kubiak are out there. Cable was the one pushing for Leatherwood so no thanks.
I’d get Bradley for the D & sign Darnold
Agree about Bevel and Cable. Darnold will be too much investment for the return we’ll get. He had a dream season with a long established very good offensive system, possibly the best receiver in the game, and the other guy was a Biletnikoff winner. We have a great TE, and a one good reciever. Unless his market doesn’t develop, I wouldn’t pay his upcharge.
Darrell Bevel? When Seahawks won the Super Bowl they had a dominant Marshawn and prime Wilson.
Their offense was terrible after their primes. Bevel didn’t do a thing for them.
He hasn’t been in OC position since and I’m thinking there’s a good reason for that.
I still say we should seriously consider Chip Kelly.
I agree, Bevel is old school. The only success he had was living off of the field position the Seattle defense set him up with and Lynch gashing the line like a madman. Yes, Russ, in his prime, could nail the deep ball and beat a one on one matchup with the best. Bevel could never hold a job since, and QB coach for Tua is not flattering on the resume.
Passing game game and QB coach for the dolphins since like 21. You have this fixation with chipper since he got canned in Philly. And if you think we should waste a draft pick in this draft on a Q, especially with all our needs, you flushed all creds.
Tooz,Philly, what offense do you think Carroll is going want run? LOL
What did the EAGLES offense look like ALL season? Barkley. MVP candidate. Hmmmm
You can’t think ahead of your next meal.
Do you really think Pete’s gonna embrace strange after a lifetime of his experience?
And if you think Darnold is a one trick pony you didn’t watch their last three games. The Vikings OL looked like ours. And ANY Q behind our OL this season would’ve looked much the same. Just facts. Just reality. Just a clue.
Darrel Bevel…….the same guy who called for a pass from the 1 frigging inch line instead of running it in with Marshawn Lynch ! Hopefully Tom Brady will say no to the real culprit who handed him his 4th Super Bowl ring.