The Las Vegas Raiders are favoring a patient approach with their current head coaching search, but that means they’re missing out on some top candidates. Robert Saleh, Jeff Hafley and Kevin Stefanski were all rumored to be candidates they liked, but all three of them have accepted other jobs.
Former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has been heavily linked to the job for weeks, and he was looked at as a potential finalist. He interviewed with the team in person recently, but left Las Vegas without a contract.
That paved the way for him to accept another job. The Baltimore Ravens announced that they have hired Minter to be their next head coach. This wasn’t a surprise, as he previously coached there and most rumors suggested that’s where he wanted to land.
That said, it’s still a blow to the Raiders. Minter was the most intriguing young defensive mind on the market, and he knows the AFC West well. If the Raiders weren’t going to go with an offensive mind, he was likely their top choice. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Raiders made a strong push to hire Minter, but he ultimately chose the Ravens.
Mike McDaniel & Brian Flores Accept Coordinator Jobs
Though the Raiders missed out on Minter, there are still some strong options available, but the herd is thinning. The team interviewed former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel for their head coaching job. It remains to be seen if he’ll get an offer, but in the meantime, he has another job lined up. The Chargers are planning to hire McDaniel as their offensive coordinator if he doesn’t get a head coaching job.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores was previously linked to the Raiders job, but hasn’t received an interview yet. He has signed a new contract to stay on as the defensive coordinator of the Vikings. That doesn’t mean he can’t still accept a coaching job, but it would suggest that he’s not anticipating an offer coming his way.
Who Are the Favorites to Get the Raiders Job?
Now that Minter is off the board, the Raiders will have to look elsewhere. Luckily, they already have a lot of good coaches they’ve interviewed. As of now, it seems like Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is the leader to get the job.
He’s a proven playcaller with experience and should be good for a likely rookie quarterback. His calm demeanor has led to concerns that he can’t command a team, but there are plenty of great head coaches who aren’t loud.
Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb is also still in the mix. He has the least experience of any candidate the team is considering, but he has a very bright future. It’d be a gamble, but the payoff could be massive.
Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur is also being considered. He’s worked under Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan, so he’s had some very good mentors. He also have experience calling plays, though he’s not doing that with the Rams right now.
Raiders Dealt Disappointing News Amid Coaching Search