The Las Vegas Raiders are full steam ahead as they continue to interview head coaching candidates. As of January 20th, the Raiders have interviewed 14 candidates, with two already being hired as head coaches for the Miami Dolphins (Jeff Hafley) and Atlanta Falcons (Kevin Stefanski).
NFL teams move quickly when it comes to hiring their next head coach, and there’s one candidate that the Raiders can’t waste any time on: Mike McDaniel.
McDaniel is one of the 14 candidates the Raiders have interviewed, but recent news could force the Raiders to act quickly.
Raiders Get an Important Update on Mike McDaniel
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, McDaniel has informed the Cleveland Browns that he’s withdrawing from their head coaching search. Pelissero also mentioned how he’s still a candidate for both Las Vegas and the Baltimore Ravens for the head coaching vacancy.
It’s great that McDaniel is no longer an option for the Browns, but there’s some bad news.
McDaniel has “multiple OC offers” and could find a new home soon, and is also interviewing for the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive coordinator job on January 20th. If the Raiders want McDaniel as their next coach, they have to move fast because he won’t be available for long.
Here’s McDaniel’s bio from the Raiders’ main website:
“McDaniel spent four seasons as head coach of the Dolphins, finishing with a 35-33 record. Under McDaniel’s direction in 2023, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa posted a career-best 4,562 passing yards and 34 touchdowns, and the Dolphins finished first in the league in total offense with 401.3 yards per game. McDaniel led Miami to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023. Before joining the Dolphins, he served as the 49ers offensive coordinator.”
If Not McDaniel, There’s Another Offensive-Minded Frontrunner
There’s another offensive-minded coaching candidate that’s picking up steam for the Raiders.
Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, is now the betting favorite (+175) to be the Raiders’ next head coach. He doesn’t have the head coaching experience that McDaniel has, but Kubiak has helped Seattle reach the NFC Championship for the first time since 2015.
Here is Kubiak’s bio:
“Kubiak joined the Seahawks as offensive coordinator in January 2025 and in his first season with Seattle, helped guide an offense that finished third in the league in points scored, contributing to a 14-3 record and the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. Before arriving in Seattle, he held the same role with the New Orleans Saints in 2024 and worked as the San Francisco 49ers’ passing game coordinator in 2023. Kubiak also spent time with the Denver Broncos as passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach and previously coached quarterbacks and receivers during two stints with the Minnesota Vikings.”
Despite being a head coaching candidate, it’s not clear whether McDaniel wants another HC gig or if he prefers to go back to being an offensive coordinator and wait for a better opportunity elsewhere. Either way, the Raiders need to act fast if they want McDaniel.
Raiders Get Important Mike McDaniel Update Amid Recent News