Despite firing four head coaches in five seasons, the Las Vegas Raiders can still sell the job as an appealing landing spot for the right candidate. There have been seven head-coaching openings so far, and that number can change quickly. The cycle is fluid by design. Situations that look stable in January can shift in a week, and a single unexpected move can reshape the entire market.
Right now, there are a few names to track. Las Vegas has requested interviews with three assistants from the Los Angeles Rams, a signal that the front office is studying organizations with recent, sustained success. The Raiders have also been linked to Klint Kubiak, a well-regarded offensive coach, which fits the bigger picture. If Las Vegas uses the top pick on a quarterback, the coaching hire has to be aligned with development, structure and a clear offensive plan.
That is the opportunity in front of the Raiders: hire the next coach with a long-term timeline in mind, not a one-year fix.
The Pillar Players: Maxx Crosby and the youth movement
Is Ashton Jeanty a generational talent? That is difficult to label, but his rookie year made one thing clear: he is a special player. Now imagine his production behind a competent offensive line. Jeanty runs with workhorse volume, contributes as a pass catcher, and brings rare bursts that show up on routine carries.
Brock Bowers’ season was uneven, but his talent remains obvious. He is still one of the league’s premier tight ends and can be the focal point of a passing attack. At his best, he looks like the best player on the field. The week-to-week consistency has been harder to find, and the reasons are not complicated: unstable quarterback play and inconsistent play-calling.
And then there is Maxx Crosby, one of the most disruptive defenders in football. He forces protections, draws constant attention and still finds ways to create chaos. Add a couple quality free agents and the defense can look different quickly. Crosby—“The Condor”—needs help, and the right coach can build a structure that finally provides it.
Related: If you want a modern offense, hire Klint Kubiak
Immense draft capital and salary cap space
The Raiders do not just hold the No. 1 overall pick. They are also projected to have significant salary-cap flexibility, giving the next head coach rare roster-building leverage. That combination is uncommon in a coaching cycle, and it changes the sales pitch: Las Vegas can offer both a premium draft slot and the resources to reshape the roster quickly. If the Raiders use that top pick on a quarterback, it also creates a longer runway for the staff to build and develop—the most realistic form of job security in the NFL.
Most openings come with constraints. Some teams already have an established quarterback, which can raise the immediate floor but also limits how much a new coach can align the roster to his own vision. Las Vegas is different. The Raiders can pair a new staff with a handpicked quarterback and a roster plan built around that timeline, rather than inheriting one.
So the question is straightforward: What head coach should Las Vegas hire this offseason?
*Top Photo: Getty Images