Reports Says Raiders Expected to Hire Cliff Kingsbury to be their next Offensive Coordinator

The Raiders search for an offensive coordinator has been drawn out a little, but it sounds like they might have identified the coach they want.

According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, former Cardinals’ head coach Kliff Kingsbury is the frontrunner to be the Raiders next offensive coordinator.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter later reported that Kingsbury is expected to be hired for the job.

Adam Schefter on Twitter: “Raiders are expected to hire former Cardinals’ head coach Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator, per league sources. / Twitter”

Raiders are expected to hire former Cardinals’ head coach Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator, per league sources.

Kingsbury has a history of getting production out of quarterbacks and has worked at different levels with Johnny Manziel, Baker Mayfield, Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray.

The Raiders don’t know who their starting quarterback will be next season, so the thinking has been that they need an offensive coordinator who has worked with a variety of different skill sets at quarterback.

One name that some believe would be a good fit with Kingsbury is Justin Fields, so it will be interesting to see if that idea gets any traction once the Kingsbury hire has been finalized.

Additionally, there are some who have been skeptical that Kingsbury would be a good fit for the Raiders.

Ted Nguyen on Twitter: “My biggest criticism of Kingsbury’s ARI offense was lack of detail, too many bubble screens, lack of sequencing.Does some creative things but offense always felt like a collection of plays without flow.Offense relied on Murray’s ability to create too much. https://t.co/p8CrElKd0K / Twitter”

My biggest criticism of Kingsbury’s ARI offense was lack of detail, too many bubble screens, lack of sequencing.Does some creative things but offense always felt like a collection of plays without flow.Offense relied on Murray’s ability to create too much. https://t.co/p8CrElKd0K

Earlier in the week, Sports Illustated‘s Hondo Carpenter said that a mystery candidate with head-coaching experience was also in the mix for the job.

We now know the coach was former Eagles and 49ers head coach Chip Kelly.

Hondo Carpenter on Twitter: “Chip Kelly was the former successful head coach I’ve been speaking of for potential OC, but after interviewing, @AntonioPierce has decided Kliff Kingsbury will be his new OC. / Twitter”

Chip Kelly was the former successful head coach I’ve been speaking of for potential OC, but after interviewing, @AntonioPierce has decided Kliff Kingsbury will be his new OC.

twitter: @raidersbeat