The Las Vegas Raiders haven’t exactly been the belle of the ball in this year’s NFL coaching carousel. While other franchises are locking down their top targets, the Raiders have been more of a bystander-at least publicly.
But make no mistake: a hire is coming. And with Championship Sunday on deck, there are a few key coordinators worth watching closely.
Not only are they coaching in the biggest games of the year, but they’re also firmly in the mix for the Raiders’ head coaching vacancy.
Let’s break down three names that could be on Vegas' radar, what makes them intriguing, and where the Raiders stand in the hunt.
Klint Kubiak - Offensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks
Kubiak is one of the hottest offensive minds in the league right now. He’s climbed the coaching ladder quickly, holding a variety of titles-offensive assistant, passing game coordinator, assistant head coach, and now offensive coordinator. While some of those roles can be a little more about optics than substance, what he’s doing in Seattle is anything but superficial.
Let’s be real: getting consistent, winning football out of Sam Darnold is no small feat. Darnold’s career has been a rollercoaster, and yet under Kubiak’s guidance, the Seahawks have made a deep playoff push. Seattle’s defense may get the headlines, but the offense has held its own-and that’s largely thanks to Kubiak’s ability to scheme around Darnold’s strengths and limit his mistakes.
Now, here’s the tricky part for the Raiders: they’re not the frontrunners. Right now, the Arizona Cardinals are widely seen as the favorites to land Kubiak.
But if Tom Brady-yes, that Tom Brady, now a minority owner in Vegas-can work some of his magic, maybe the Raiders can make a compelling pitch. It would be a statement move, and a major win for a franchise in need of direction.
Davis Webb - Passing Game Coordinator, Denver Broncos
Webb is a bit of a wild card. At just 31 years old, he’s one of the youngest coaching candidates in the mix-and he’s still very much in the early stages of his coaching journey. A former NFL quarterback himself, Webb is currently learning under Sean Payton in Denver, and while Payton’s fingerprints are all over the Broncos’ offense, Webb is gaining valuable experience behind the scenes.
The big question is: how much of Denver’s offensive success can be attributed to Webb? That’s hard to gauge from the outside.
But what we do know is this-so far, the Raiders are the only team to have interviewed him. That says something.
Whether it’s a sign of genuine interest or a reflection of how other teams view the Vegas job is up for debate.
Still, hiring Webb would be a bold move. It would signal a commitment to building something long-term, potentially with a young coach who could grow into the role. It’s a gamble, no doubt-but in Vegas, that might just be fitting.
Chris Shula - Defensive Coordinator, Los Angeles Rams
The name "Shula" carries weight in NFL circles, and Chris is starting to carve out his own path. He’s been quietly steering a Rams defense that’s overachieved in recent years. Over the last two seasons, Los Angeles ranks ninth in scoring defense and seventh in takeaways-numbers that speak to a unit that plays smart, opportunistic football.
Shula’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed. He’s reportedly drawing interest from both the Cardinals and the Steelers, and if his defense can rattle Darnold this weekend, his stock could rise even further.
But here’s the catch: the Raiders haven’t shown much inclination toward hiring a defensive-minded head coach. Given the team’s recent struggles on offense, there’s a sense that they’ll want someone who can bring stability and innovation on that side of the ball.
Still, Shula shouldn’t be dismissed. He’s a rising coach with a respected pedigree, and if Vegas wants to build a tough, turnover-hungry defense, he’s more than capable of leading that charge.
The Bottom Line
The Raiders may not be leading the race for any of these coordinators, but they’re still in it-and the decisions made this weekend could shift the landscape. Whether it’s Kubiak’s offensive acumen, Webb’s upside, or Shula’s defensive chops, there are intriguing options on the table. Now it’s just a matter of whether Vegas can close the deal.
One thing’s for sure: the Raiders can’t afford to miss again. This next hire has to be about more than just optics-it has to be about vision, leadership, and building a foundation that can finally bring long-term success to Las Vegas.