The Las Vegas Raiders likely want their coaching search to move faster, but they appear to be circling a candidate who is still coaching in the playoffs. Recently, it looked like the team was eyeing either Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak or Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb.
However, there might be another name in the mix who hasn’t been talked about much. The Raiders have done a virtual interview with Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, but haven’t met him in person yet.
He hasn’t been considered one of the top candidates. According to betting odds, he’s not even in the top five most likely to get the job. LaFleur might be an underrated candidate for the job.
NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that the Raiders are actually big fans of the Rams coach.
“I been told Raiders have an affinity for LaFleur, that was last week though,” Anderson wrote on X. “Gotta update that info…stay tuned..I think Tom Brady has a lot on his plate business wise.”
The Rams play the Seahawks in the NFC Championship, so the Raiders won’t be able to interview in person until that game is concluded. He’s now a name to watch if the team flies him out to Las Vegas for another interview.
Is LaFleur Ready to Be an HC?
Rams head coach Sean McVay calls the offensive plays, so LaFleur doesn’t get a ton of credit for the team’s high-powered offense. That doesn’t mean he isn’t heavily involved with game-planning.
McVay’s coaching tree is very strong. Liam Coen, Kevin O’Connell, Matt LaFleur and Zac Taylor all worked under McVay and are some of the best young coaches in the NFL.
Plus, Mike LaFleur has been an offensive playcaller in the past. He didn’t have success calling plays for the New York Jets, but that franchise can’t seem to get things right. LaFleur has learned under McVay and Kyle Shanahan, so he’s been mentored by some of the best offensive minds in the NFL. If the Raiders want an offensive mind, LaFleur is one of the most intriguing options.
Raiders Likely Going With Offensive Coach
It’s looking more and more like the Raiders are going to favor an offensive coach for their head coaching job. Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter seems to be the one defensive coach they’re potentially pursuing, but there’s a good chance he gets the Baltimore Ravens’ job.
It makes sense for the Raiders to try something different. The last two head coaches they hired were from defensive backgrounds, and both were fired after one season. With a rookie quarterback likely coming in, the Raiders might want a head coach with a strong offensive background to develop him.
Kubiak, Webb or LaFleur all have experience doing great work with quarterbacks, so any of those three could be fits. The Raiders are being patient, which is how it should be if they aren’t totally ready to hire any of the candidates who are currently available. Next week should be interesting for the team, depending on which coaches end up in the Super Bowl.
Insider Leaks Surprise Coach Raiders Have ‘Affinity’ For