The Las Vegas Raiders are looking at candidates to replace Pete Carroll, who was fired on Jan. 5 after one season with the Silver and Black. With the search underway for Carroll’s replacement, there’s a new name emerging in the rumor mill.
On Jan. 6, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported, citing sources, that the Raiders requested an interview with Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb for their head coaching job. Still just 30 years old, Webb spent six years as an NFL QB before going straight into coaching and has been on the fast track ever since.
The Athletic’s James Palmer adds that several people in the Broncos organization see him as a future head coach. Webb is garnering a lot of respect in Denver and among quarterbacks, and he also excels on the analytical side of the game.
Palmer says Webb had the chance to call plays during a preseason game and performed exceptionally well. He also notes that Sean Payton was so impressed during his interview that the Broncos reportedly asked the car to turn around on the way to the airport and hired him immediately.
Moreover, with Webb being a QB coach and former signal-caller, he would be an ideal candidate if the Raiders do proceed and take Indiana Hoosiers star Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
Davis Webb Isn’t the Only Coach Reportedly on Raiders’ Radar
While an offensive coach would be ideal, minority owner Tom Brady is likely going to have a significant say on the search, and according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, he has his eyes on a couple of former New England Patriots.
“There’s a rumor currently making the rounds that, once Brady rolls up his sleeves (while also wearing one glove and an expensive-ass watch), he’ll make the case for bringing in Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores,” Florio wrote in an article published on Jan. 4.
“As the chatter goes, Flores would be the head coach, and former Giants coach Brian Daboll would be the offensive coordinator. Like Flores, Daboll has extensive experience with the Patriot Way. Daboll was there for the first three Super Bowl wins of the Brady/Belichick era, and for two of the second trio of championships.”
Brian Flores Predicted to Stay With Vikings
Nonetheless, Ben Goessling, who covers the Minnesota Vikings for the Star Tribune, stated that he sees Flores returning despite his name appearing in the rumor mill for this cycle of head coaching hires.
“I would say probably more stays than leaves,” Goessling said during a Jan. 6 appearance on KFAN1003. “I’m probably like 60, 40 on this just because I think the fact that he waited this out was for a reason. I think he does have a lot of intention to say, ‘Let’s see what the market looks like.’
“That could have a lot to do with where he ends up. But we’ll see how that market shakes out for him. I think he may look at it and say, ‘There’s a lot of things in Minnesota that I have that I like; I like working with Kevin O’Connell. I like the way that I get to shape the defense how I want.'”
Broncos Coach Linked to Raiders HC Role After Firing Pete Carroll