The NFL is a league that blends innovation with tradition, where coaching decisions hold the potential to reshape a team’s future. As Las Vegas Raiders’ new head coach Antonio Pierce considers one of his most important early decisions, who to hire as the team’s offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury continues to be an intriguing possibility.
Kingsbury officially interviewed with the Raiders on Friday and had previously met with the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles about their open offensive coordinator role. Still, each of those teams has hired someone else. That means Kingsbury’s only other opportunity right now is with the Raiders.
Known for his creativity, Kingsbury could bring a fresh perspective to the Raiders’ playbook. Kingsbury is currently the senior offensive analyst and quarterbacks coach at USC. And while his name still carries some clout, it’s essential to recognize that this potential hire also comes with its share of uncertainties.
Let’s explore why Kingsbury could be a game-changing choice for the Raiders’ offense, while acknowledging the risks of possibly bringing him to Las Vegas.
Kliff Kingsbury: Mastermind behind the Air Raid offense
Kliff Kingsbury established himself as an authority on the “Air Raid” offense, a pass-oriented scheme that made waves in college football when he served as the head coach at Texas Tech, learning from the legendary Mike Leach, whom he played for at the school.
His tenure with the Red Raiders demonstrated his ability to design and execute a high-powered offense that was both dynamic and aggressive. Throughout his time at Texas Tech, Kingsbury’s Red Raider offense consistently achieved rankings in both passing yards and total offense.
Every season his teams averaged a minimum of 30 points per game with two occasions where they scored over 40 points. Additionally, they accumulated 470 total yards per game (with four instances surpassing 500 yards) and achieved a minimum of 330 passing yards per game (with two occasions exceeding 460 yards).
Notably in four of those seasons, Kingsbury’s teams also showcased their prowess in rushing by attaining a minimum of 140 rushing yards per game.
The Air Raid offense is an aggressive approach to football, where passing plays make up the majority (65-75 percent) of the game plan. This strategy allows the quarterback to make decisions based on the defense’s formation, often changing the play at the line. The Air Raid offense keeps the opposing defense on its toes with a rapid-paced, no-huddle style that limits substitutions and maintains a quick tempo.
Its offensive line formation sets it apart, creating passing lanes and making it harder for defenders to rush effectively. The fundamental principles of this offense are getting rid of the ball quickly, stretching out defenses across the field, and exploiting any weaknesses in coverage.
It works well against zone defenses and man-to-man coverages, especially when you have receivers who excel at winning one-on-one matchups.
Of course, for Kingsbury’s offense to work, you need a dynamic, play-making quarterback, which the Raiders will search for this offseason. Having a young quarterback to develop requires the right kind of coach, and Kingsbury seems to fit that bill too.
A history of developing young quarterbacks
One aspect of Kingsbury’s appeal also lies in his track record of working with young quarterbacks. The Raiders, who have the 13th pick in the first round, will be on the clock at this April’s NFL Draft in Detroit with a quarterback as their top need.
If Kingsbury is part of the team, he’ll bring an excellent track record of developing quarterbacks, including Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, and Johnny Manziel. His potential to take quarterbacks and develop them while they learn this more complex offense fits nicely for what the Raiders will be looking to do.
For the Raiders, Kingsbury’s ability to mentor and shape quarterbacks is a huge asset and a big reason to consider him for the opening. His arrival may usher in a new era of quarterback development when the team is looking for their franchise signal-caller of the future.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders mock draft 2024
Bringing an innovative offense to the Raiders
The NFL is constantly changing. Even offensive ideas and schemes from three seasons ago can be considered outdated or no longer effective. Kingsbury represents the fresh wave of football thinking on offense, and that’s something the Raiders have not had in a long time.
Kliff Kingsbury’s offensive mindset emphasizes adaptability and innovation, which could inject the Raiders with precisely what they need on offense. Just like Pierce has brought back the physical and hard-nosed attitude of past Raiders teams, Kingsbury can help keep the team in line with where the modern offensive game is and where it is headed.
This modern approach isn’t limited to plays called on the field, either. It extends to training methods, game-day preparation, and in-game adjustments – factors that can give the Raiders an edge in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive AFC West.
Although Kingsbury’s tenure with the Cardinals ended on a down note, his 2021 team placed second in the NFC West, losing in the wild card playoffs to the Super Bowl LVI champs, the Los Angeles Rams. In 2021, Arizona ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in scoring and total offense.
Kliff Kingsbury also has some possible downsides
While Kingsbury’s offensive prowess is undeniably appealing, it’s important to consider both sides of the coin. His time in the NFL as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals was a rough and tumble journey.
Despite displaying moments of brilliance, his record was tarnished by inconsistency. Lasting four seasons with the Cardinals, Kingsbury finished 28-37 and was 0-1 in the playoffs.
Remember: He had just two winning seasons in college before ascending to NFL head coach. It proved too much; running the Cardinals’ offense and managing the overall football operation may have just been too soon for the young coach. Moving from being a head coach to focusing on offense may have benefits, but it certainly comes with its fair share of challenges.
Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid system is complex
Kingsbury’s scheme is undoubtedly innovative but brings complexity to the table. Introducing a new system requires the players and the coaching staff to adapt. If it works out and Pierce picks Kingsbury, the Raiders must approach this transition meticulously, understanding that building a championship-caliber offense takes time.
This could be exacerbated by introducing a rookie quarterback — especially if he wins the starting job. The Raiders’ front office would need to evaluate other players on its offensive roster to determine needs and who would still fit in a system run by Kingsbury.
The pressure to perform immediately would be intense
With the spotlight on Pierce in his first year and his need to improve one of the league’s worst offenses, whoever fills the offensive coordinator the role will be under the microscope from the beginning.
In the NFL, every move and decision is heavily scrutinized. With his high-profile status and reputation for high-flying offenses, Kingsbury would naturally come under intense scrutiny. The pressure to immediately translate his playbook’s potential into on-field success would be overwhelming. How he handles this pressure is vital after his up-and-down history in Arizona.
The possibility of Kliff Kingsbury joining the Las Vegas Raiders as their offensive coordinator is undoubtedly full of upside. His offensive philosophy, ability to mentor quarterbacks, and modern approach to the game make him an appealing candidate.
For the Raiders, this choice represents a balance between finding someone who is an offensive designer and not just an implementer. They need an inventive coach to mentor and develop a young quarterback and win quickly.
There’s a lot to like about Kingsbury, and despite some of his failings, he might be exactly what Antonio Pierce and the Raiders need.