The Las Vegas Raiders seem to be getting closer to finding their next head coach, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t other work to be done. General manager John Spytek was with ownership when they went to Miami to scout the National Championship Game.
Roster movement has been happening in recent weeks as the team focuses on the head coaching search. However, the Raiders decided to make a small move. The team announced on Tuesday that they’ve signed longsnapper Alex Ward to a Reserve/Future contract.
Ward came into the NFL as an undrafted free agent signing of the Los Angeles Rams in 2023. He was the team’s longsnapper for more than two seasons, but they decided to let him go this season due to issues the special teams were having with blocked kicks and missed field goals.
Ward has good experience and could be in the mix to be the Raiders’ longsnapper next season. Jacob Bobenmoyer had the job for the last three seasons, but he’s going to be a free agent. The team could have a need at the position if he decides to sign elsewhere. That would open up an opportunity for Ward, but the Raiders could bring in additional competition.
Latest on Coaching Search
Four head coaching openings have already been filled around the NFL, so the Raiders could potentially announce their next head coach at any time. On Tuesday, the team interviewed Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
Both appear to be strong candidates for the job, but the Raiders might want to wait to make a decision utnil their can interview Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb in person. They are both still coaching in the playoffs, so they can’t interview in person until next week at the earliest.
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel interviewed on Monday, and he seems like a real candidate for the job. There’s a lot of competition in this cycle, so the Raiders might want to pounce on a candidate they like quickly, but it makes more sense for the team to have a thorough process.
Raiders Seem to Be Looking for First-Time HC
Four of the last five head coaches the Raiders have hired have had previous NFL head coaching experience upon taking the job. This time around, Vance Joseph and McDaniel are the only coaches the team has shown interest in who have been head coaches before.
It’s possible that they would’ve been open to hiring Robert Saleh, Kevin Stefanski or John Harbaugh, but those coaches weren’t interested. It’s also possible that the Raiders simply favor going with a first-time head coach.
While going with a rookie head coach comes with risk, the reward can also be huge. The Raiders need a very good coach to turn the franchise around, but none of the retreads were great options, outside of Harbaugh. Saleh had failed with a bad franchise, and so did Stefanski. It might be time for the Raiders to take a big swing.
Raiders Sign Former Rams Player as Coaching Search Heats Up