The Las Vegas Raiders have a massive offseason coming up that will determine the future of their franchise. With Pete Carroll out as head coach and absolutely no one anticipating a Geno Smith return in the 2026 season, Las Vegas’ offseason will be all about finding their new HC-QB combo.
Both will be contemplated this Monday in Miami, where Fernando Mendoza will be playing in the CFP National Championship for Indiana, while an intriguing HC candidate will also be in attendance.
That candidate is none other than the enigmatic, offensive-minded Mike McDaniel, who was ousted from the Miami Dolphins organization last week after four seasons at the helm.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Raiders officials will be on site in Miami to watch Mendoza compete for the National Championship in person. While in Miami, they will conduct an interview with McDaniel in the hopes of hiring him as their next head coach.
McDaniel to Interview With Raiders Representatives
McDaniel is one of the hottest names on the coaching market this offseason. He’s already interviewed for or scheduled interviews for four head coaching roles with the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, and Baltimore Ravens. In addition, he’s set to meet with the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers about their offensive coordinator vacancies.
Now that he has four years as a head coach under his belt, it’s unlikely McDaniel would want to regress to OC with any franchise, though Detroit and LA do offer plenty of weapons and potential.
Assuming the meeting goes well with the Raiders, they’d certainly be one of the most enticing options for McDaniel. Fernando Mendoza will, in all likelihood, a Raider come Draft day. This would give McDaniel a chance to build around an up and coming star, a task he was somewhat successful with in Miami with Tua Tagovailoa.
There are also plenty of weapons in place in Vegas; Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers, and Tre Tucker all have massive upside in the right system. It wouldn’t be as sexy as going to Cleveland to work with Shedeur Sanders or Baltimore to work with Lamar Jackson, but it would give McDaniel an opportunity to work from the ground up and establish his own system for a young core.
Mendoza Set to Compete for CFP Championship Monday Night
Fernando Mendoza came out of nowhere to lead one of the most dominant college football teams in recent memory this season. Two mediocre seasons at Cal didn’t do much for his resumé, but he has completely transformed into the full package this season under Curt Cignetti at Indiana.
Mendoza is a leader on and off the field; his 41 touchdown passes, 3,349 yards, and 73 percent completion rate led to him winning the Heisman Trophy for his on field performance. Off the field, he seems like the prototypical leader; kind, positive, and passionate. If the Raiders don’t select him with the No. 1 overall pick, it would be one of the biggest shocks of the decade in the NFL.
Mendoza and his troops will take the field in Miami against the University of Miami on Monday night at 7:30 p.m.
Raiders Eyeing Mike McDaniel to Pair With Potential No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza