Super Bowl XL Impacts Raiders’ Coaching Search

With the New England Patriots defeating the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks overcoming the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL’s Conference Championships, the stage is set for the Super Bowl XL showdown between the Patriots and Seahawks. This development has significant implications for the Las Vegas Raiders’ ongoing head coach search, as they have been engaging with candidates from the Seahawks, Rams, and Broncos.

According to league rules, the Raiders are allowed to meet with and hire any coach from the Los Angeles or Denver teams, since both clubs have been eliminated from the playoffs. The team has already conducted interviews with several key figures from these organizations. These include the Rams’ offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, defensive coordinator Chris Shula, and passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, as well as the Broncos’ quarterback coach and passing game coordinator Davis Webb.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Raiders are expected to conduct a second interview with Webb this week. Additionally, the team can hold a second interview with Seahawks’ offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, as players participating in the Super Bowl are permitted to meet with other teams during the break between the Conference Championship weekend and the big game. While the interview with Kubiak could be in-person, the Raiders cannot officially hire him until after the championship.

Key Candidates and Competitive Landscape

The interviews this week are limited to second meetings, which gives the Raiders an advantage over the Buffalo Bills if the Bills are interested in Kubiak. The Bills did not fire head coach Sean McDermott until after their Divisional Round playoff loss in Denver, which means they couldn’t interview candidates who had games on Sunday. As a result, the Bills would have to wait until after the Super Bowl to meet with any coaches from the Seahawks or Patriots’ staffs.

In addition to the competition for Kubiak, Joe Brady, the Bills’ offensive coordinator, was reportedly in Las Vegas for a second head coach interview. This highlights the intensity of the coaching search across multiple teams.

Former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is still considered a top candidate for the Raiders’ opening despite agreeing to become the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive coordinator this week. McDaniel is exploring whether he can secure a head coaching position, and if not, he will take on the OC role with the Chargers next season. Based on recent reports, McDaniel, Kubiak, and Webb are seen as the Raiders’ top three options.

Other Developments in the Raiders’ Coaching Search

There are also discussions about the Raiders potentially selecting Fernando Mendoza, a highly anticipated prospect. Ray Aspuria of Silver and Black Pride noted that it’s difficult to see the Raiders not taking Mendoza, even though the offseason is still early and the draft is months away.

Brian Daboll, the former New York Giants head coach, has also been interviewed by the Raiders. His inclusion adds another name to the growing list of potential candidates.

Tom Brady, a minority owner of the Raiders, may have given a hint about the new head coach. Justin Churchill of A to Z Sports wrote that Brady essentially revealed Klint Kubiak as a prime candidate for the Raiders’ head coaching position during the Seahawks vs. Rams game.

Additional Notes

The Buffalo Bills are also interested in Davis Webb, unlike with Kubiak, since the Broncos were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday. This allows the Bills to meet with Webb this week, further intensifying the competition for top coaching talent.

As the NFL continues its post-season activities, the coaching landscape remains dynamic, with multiple teams vying for the best available candidates. The Raiders’ search is just one of many stories unfolding in the wake of the Conference Championships.