The Las Vegas Raiders’ head coaching search has hit a standstill - and the clock is ticking.
With several of their top targets still deep in the playoff hunt, the Raiders are essentially stuck in neutral. Davis Webb, Klint Kubiak, and Mike LaFleur - all reportedly high on the team’s wishlist - remain unavailable as their respective teams continue postseason runs.
Meanwhile, of the three coaches Las Vegas requested for second interviews, only Ejiro Evero is still in play. Jeff Hafley and Jesse Minter have already accepted head coaching jobs elsewhere.
The Raiders are casting a wide net, and that included an in-person meeting with former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. That conversation took place while the team's brass was in Miami, reportedly scouting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza during the CFP National Championship. The sit-down with McDaniel wasn’t just a courtesy - it raised eyebrows and sparked real speculation that he could be a serious contender for the job.
McDaniel, known for his creative offensive schemes and quarterback-friendly approach, has his fans in Raider Nation. But most see him more as a high-end offensive coordinator than a head coach. That perception seemed to align with his next move - reportedly accepting the offensive coordinator role with the Los Angeles Chargers just days after the Vegas meeting.
But here’s the thing: the Chargers haven’t officially announced the hire. And in today’s NFL, silence can be louder than words.
There’s growing chatter that McDaniel may still be holding out for a head coaching opportunity. At the time of his reported agreement with L.A., only two teams were seen as realistic options for a head coaching gig - the Raiders and the Ravens. Baltimore has since filled its vacancy, leaving Vegas as the last potential landing spot.
The delay in his official hire has Chargers fans feeling uneasy. Raider fans know that feeling all too well - just look back at the Kliff Kingsbury saga, when it seemed like he was all but locked in, only to vanish from the radar at the eleventh hour.
So is McDaniel still in play for the Raiders?
Reports suggest it’s possible. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, McDaniel is scheduled to interview for the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching job on Friday. Meanwhile, a now-deleted post from The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen claimed McDaniel remains in the running for the job in Las Vegas and has real interest in it.
Why the deletion? That’s anyone’s guess.
It could’ve been premature info, or it might’ve revealed more than the Raiders were ready to share. Either way, it adds another layer of intrigue to a coaching search that’s been unusually quiet and tightly guarded.
From a football standpoint, McDaniel makes a lot of sense. He’s 42, experienced, and brings a modern offensive approach that could be tailor-made for a young quarterback like Mendoza - if that’s the direction the Raiders go in April. His system is built to support and elevate quarterbacks, and that’s exactly what this franchise needs as it looks to reset under new leadership.
Of course, there are fair questions about McDaniel's ability to lead a full locker room, not just scheme up plays. His personality can be unconventional, and not every great play-caller makes the leap to successful head coach. But if decision-makers like John Spytek and Tom Brady - both reportedly involved in the process - believe in his potential, that carries weight.
And let’s not ignore the chessboard here. If the Raiders were to hire McDaniel, they’d not only be bringing in a sharp offensive mind - they’d also be snatching him away from a division rival.
The Chargers, now led by Jim Harbaugh, would be left scrambling to fill a key role. That’s a rare opportunity for a double win: improving your own sideline while weakening a rival’s.
McDaniel might not be the dream candidate for every corner of Raider Nation, but he’s a proven offensive architect with head coaching experience and the potential to grow into the role. In a coaching cycle with limited options and a lot of uncertainty, that might be exactly what Las Vegas needs.
The door might not be wide open, but it’s definitely not locked.