The balance of power in the AFC West took a dramatic turn in 2025. After nearly a decade of watching the Kansas City Chiefs rule the division with an iron grip, the Denver Broncos finally rose to the top, clinching the division crown for the first time in ten years. Meanwhile, Kansas City stumbled to a shocking 6-11 finish, landing in third place and heading into an early offseason that few saw coming.
As for the Las Vegas Raiders, they’ve been trying to rewrite their own story in the division-but so far, it’s been more frustration than progress. Last offseason, the team made waves by hiring Pete Carroll, a big-name move that brought instant attention but didn’t deliver long-term results. That experiment lasted just one season, and now the Raiders are once again in the market for a new head coach.
But this time, there’s real potential for a breakthrough.
According to reports, former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is set to interview for the Raiders’ top job. And with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in their back pocket, Vegas might finally have the pieces to build something meaningful. It’s a rare moment where timing, opportunity, and need could align.
McDaniel’s tenure in Miami was a rollercoaster. He posted a 35-33 record over four seasons, showing flashes of brilliance as the architect of one of the league’s most explosive offenses.
At his peak, McDaniel had the Dolphins leading the NFL in total yards, powered by the speed and versatility of playmakers like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane. But this past season, Miami’s offense sputtered-falling all the way to 26th in total yards.
Injuries played a major role, and the front office didn’t exactly set him up for success. Still, McDaniel remains one of the more respected offensive minds in the game, and he’s a hot name in this year’s coaching cycle for good reason.
If the Raiders land McDaniel and pair him with the first overall draft pick, they could finally have the foundation for a reset that’s been decades in the making. That top pick is widely expected to be Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who’s become the face of one of the most remarkable college football stories in recent memory.
His rise has been nothing short of meteoric, and he’s led Indiana to the brink of a national title. For a franchise that’s been starved for hope, the idea of Mendoza and McDaniel teaming up could be the spark that finally ignites a turnaround.
It’s been a long time since the Raiders were the class of the AFC West. You have to go all the way back to 2002 to find their last division title.
Since then, they’ve managed just two double-digit win seasons and haven’t won a single playoff game in 23 years. For a fan base that once celebrated Super Bowl glory in the '70s and '80s, the past two decades have been a painful contrast.
While the Raiders are focused on their own coaching search, the Dolphins are also deep in the mix, looking to reset after parting ways with McDaniel. Miami has cast a wide net, reportedly considering candidates like Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Rams DC Chris Shula, Jaguars DC Anthony Campanella, 49ers DC Robert Saleh, Chargers DC Jesse Minter, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, and former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Several of those same names are also on the Raiders’ radar. In addition to McDaniel, Las Vegas has spoken with Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, and they’ve also interviewed Hafley, Minter, Kubiak, and Stefanski. Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and Broncos assistants Davis Webb and Vance Joseph are also in the mix.
The Raiders’ coaching search is wide open, but the opportunity in front of them is clear. With the No. 1 pick in hand and a chance to bring in a proven offensive mind, Vegas has a shot to reshape its identity-and maybe, just maybe, start climbing back toward relevance in a division that’s finally up for grabs.