
Raiders Retain as Defensive Coordinator
After parting ways with head coach Antonio Pierce, the Las Vegas Raiders faced uncertainty regarding their coaching staff, particularly defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. With his contract expiring, Graham had drawn interest from several teams, making his future with the team unclear.
However, according to ESPN, the Raiders have opted to re-sign Graham, keeping him in his role as defensive coordinator under newly hired head coach Pete Carroll.
Graham originally joined the franchise in 2022 under Josh McDaniels and remained in place when Pierce took over. As his contract expired at the end of the season, he interviewed twice for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coaching position before they ultimately hired Liam Coen. He also interviewed for their defensive coordinator role.
Despite working under his third head coach since joining the Raiders, Graham has impressed enough to retain his job. Las Vegas’ defense performed respectably, finishing 15th in total yards allowed, despite dealing with significant injuries. Star pass rusher Maxx Crosby was limited to 12 games, while prized free-agent signing Christian Wilkins was sidelined for the season after just five appearances. Even with these setbacks, Graham guided the defense to strong performances, with key contributions from linebacker Robert Spillane, defensive tackle Adam Butler, and pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson. Before the season finale, the Raiders had held opponents under 20 points in four of their last five contests.
There had been speculation that Carroll might bring in Gus Bradley as defensive coordinator, but the Raiders ultimately decided Graham was the right choice. With better health and additional talent, his unit has the potential to improve even further.
Russell Wilson Eyeing Raiders as Possible Destination?
While Graham focuses on elevating the Raiders’ defense, the team still faces uncertainty at the quarterback position. One potential option is veteran Russell Wilson, who has reportedly been interested in joining the Raiders. Given his prior relationship with Carroll, a reunion in Las Vegas could be a possibility.
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