The Baltimore Ravens didn’t waste time when it came to locking in Jesse Minter as their new head coach-and it turns out, they had good reason to move fast.
According to reports, the Las Vegas Raiders were making a serious push to land Minter, the former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator. And with teams still unable to interview candidates coaching in the conference championship games until next week, the Ravens saw the writing on the wall: wait too long, and they might lose their top choice.
Minter had reportedly impressed throughout the interview process, checking nearly every box Baltimore was looking for in its next head coach. So when the Raiders started circling, the Ravens pounced, bringing him on board before he could get away.
That leaves the Raiders back at the drawing board-but not without options.
Two names have emerged as frontrunners in Las Vegas’ ongoing search: Denver Broncos passing-game coordinator Davis Webb and Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
Webb is immediately available for hire, with Denver’s season already wrapped. If the Raiders are serious about him, we could see a second interview-and potentially a hire-within days. That would be a quick turnaround, but not out of the question given how aggressive the Raiders have been in their search so far.
Kubiak’s situation is a bit trickier. Because of NFL rules, Las Vegas can bring him in for another interview during the week leading up to the Super Bowl, but they can’t officially make a hire until after the big game on February 8. If Kubiak is their top target, fans might need to wait a little longer for an answer.
Beyond those two, the Raiders still have several strong candidates in play. Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady are all still in the mix. Both Brady and Evero have already gone through two rounds of interviews, signaling legitimate interest from the organization.
So where does that leave the Raiders? If they zero in on Webb or one of the other already-available candidates, a decision could come quickly-possibly this week. But if Kubiak is the guy they want leading the franchise forward, patience will be key.
One thing’s clear: the Raiders are casting a wide net, and they’re not afraid to pivot when the situation changes. They may have missed out on Minter, but the next head coach in Las Vegas could be just around the corner.