By Matt Khitikian
Raiders Whiff Again, Lose Favored Coaching Candidate to Bears
Only Mark Davis and Tom Brady know for 100% certainty, but all signs pointed to Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson being #1 on their list to fill Las Vegas’ head coaching vacancy.
Their hopes now dashed (Johnson agreed to a contract with the Chicago Bears at a not-yet-confirmed salary of $13 million/year), where do the Raiders turn next?
The rumor mill now points to Pete Carroll as the theoretical frontrunner and assuming that’s true, the Raiders may soon make the former 3-time NFL head coach the oldest head coaching hire in NFL history (Carroll is 73, the current oldest hire was Bruce Arians at 66).
Carroll, who interviewed on January 13th, joins other candidates Aaron Glenn (Jan. 10), Vance Joseph (Jan. 16), Robert Saleh (Jan, 16), Ron Rivera (Jan. 17), Todd Monken (interview forthcoming) and Steve Spagnuolo (Jan. 10) as possible choices.
On the GM front, both Chad Alexander (Chargers) and Brandon Brown (Giants) have had 2nd interviews, Lance Newmark (Commanders) has had one, and John Spytek (Buccaneers) is scheduled. The Raiders have also requested interviews with Jon-Eric Sullivan (Packers) and Sheldon White (Steelers).
Did instability at QB deter Ben Johnson? Will the Raiders’ glaring roster needs keep other top coaching candidates at bay? The clock is ticking, franchises are hiring, and the Raiders need to decide if they’re going to act quickly, or if their favored candidate (Kliff Kingsbury, anyone?) is still coaching for a Super Bowl championship.
Time for Carroll to ride off into the sunset. Joining the floundering wreck that is the Raiders would only put a stain on an otherwise stellar football career.
I wish I could type a lol emoji.