The Las Vegas Raiders were one of the first teams to hit the reset button this offseason, parting ways with their head coach early in the cycle. But weeks later, the silver and black are still without a new leader on the sidelines - and the coaching carousel isn’t waiting around.
Several potential targets have already landed elsewhere. Jesse Minter is now with the Ravens.
Jeff Hafley took the defensive reins in Miami. The Raiders?
Still searching.
Klint Kubiak remains a name to watch. The Seahawks’ offensive coordinator has drawn serious interest, but with Seattle still in playoff contention, timing is everything.
A loss to the Rams could open the door for a more in-depth interview process. Until then, Las Vegas waits.
They also sat down with Brian Daboll this past Saturday, signaling they’re casting a wide net.
Mike McDaniel: Waiting in the Wings
One of the more intriguing names still in the mix is Mike McDaniel. The former Dolphins head coach is known for his creative offensive mind and a personality that’s anything but vanilla. While he’s reportedly agreed to become the Chargers' offensive coordinator, his interest in the Raiders’ top job hasn’t faded.
McDaniel brings a lot to the table schematically - his offenses have been dynamic and tough to game-plan against. But concerns linger about his ability to command a locker room. Miami’s internal issues under his watch raised some red flags, and that’s made teams a bit more cautious about handing him the keys again.
Still, the Raiders job holds appeal for McDaniel, and he hasn’t been ruled out. However, right now, Las Vegas appears to be focused elsewhere.
His candidacy remains in limbo, especially after pulling out of a scheduled meeting with the Buffalo Bills. No sit-down happened, and that only adds to the uncertainty surrounding his next move.
What the Raiders Want: Young, Offensive, Visionary
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Raiders’ ideal hire is clear: a young, offensive-minded coach who can grow with the franchise. Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Rapoport pointed to Davis Webb as a potential fit.
Webb, at just 30 years old, has already made waves in Denver helping develop rookie quarterback Bo Nix. That kind of résumé becomes especially relevant if the Raiders are eyeing a young quarterback like Fernando Mendoza in the draft. Pairing a rookie QB with a coach who’s been in the trenches of development could be a smart long-term play.
The Clock Is Ticking
With the conference championship games looming, the picture could sharpen soon. If the Raiders continue to hold off on a hire, it might be a sign they’re waiting for their top choice - possibly someone still coaching deep into the postseason.
But here’s the thing: the longer they wait, the more crowded the market gets. Other teams are still in play, and the list of available candidates is getting shorter by the day.
For a franchise trying to find stability and direction, this hire matters. And they can't afford to miss.