The Las Vegas Raiders coaching search last offseason landed on Pete Carroll, with Tom Brady and Mark Davis hoping the iconic coach would bring stability to the franchise. With the club now seeming to be even worse off than it was a year ago, it’s once again time to evaluate Raiders coaching candidates.
It’s worth keeping in mind that Las Vegas faced a lot of rejection last time around. Brady, who was heavily involved in the Raiders coaching search, reportedly struck out on his top three candidates. Firing Carroll wouldn’t make this job any more desirable for potential head-coaching candidates, but Carroll has left the franchise with little choice.
With that in mind, let’s dive into our list of Raiders coaching candidates for 2026.
Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings Defensive Coordinator
There will be a theme with our Raiders coaching candidates. Las Vegas can’t go after the top names; this job just doesn’t carry nearly that level of appeal, and the roster isn’t good enough to overlook the organization’s history. However, there are a few top coordinators out there seeking a second chance to be an NFL head coach, but they have limited opportunities. Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is one of them.
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Since he took over as defensive play-caller in 2023, the Vikings defense has ranked fifth in EPA per Play (-0.046) with the sixth-lowest Success Rate (42.5 percent) allowed to opponents. That success traces back to his days with the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. Speaking of the Patriots, his time in Foxborough (2008-2018) obviously overlaps with Tom Brady, and there is a relationship there.
Other teams aren’t willing to hire Flores because of his ongoing racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL and three teams (Broncos, Giants, and Texans). The Raiders organization certainly isn’t afraid of going against the norm for the league, even if it ruffles some feathers. Obviously, it would be critical to find an offensive coordinator for this to be successful, and Flores would want to make sure the Raiders’ quarterback of the future has a mentality that fits his coaching style. He might be one of the most realistic options for Las Vegas.
Steve Spagnuolo, Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Coordinator
Sticking with our aforementioned point, there will only be a select number of NFL coaches willing to have their name involved in the Raiders coaching search. Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is one of the most respected names in football. However, the veteran coach has never come particularly close to landing another head-coaching job, even as his defenses played an instrumental role in multiple titles.
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A four-time Super Bowl champion as an assistant coach, Spagnuolo has orchestrated a defense in Kansas City that ranks ninth in EPA per Play (-0.020) since the 2020 season. He’s beloved by players and Brady called him the “bane of my existence” during his playing days. Another benefit for Las Vegas, poaching him would be a major blow for the Chiefs moving forward.
There would certainly be a risk here for Spagnuolo, but it doesn’t seem like he’ll have many other options. Having expressed a desire to be a head coach again, the Raiders might be the only option he could have. While he is on the older side, like Carroll, he’s still proving that he’s as sharp as ever in the current game.
Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks Offensive Coordinator
Now we turn to a pair of potential Raiders coaching candidates on the offensive side of the ball who don’t have head-coaching experience. While Raider Nation might initially have reservations about taking a chance on another Seattle Seahawks coach, it’s important to note that play-caller Klint Kubiak has no ties to Carroll or quarterback Geno Smith.
Entering Week 13, the Seahawks offense ranked 11th in EPA per Play (0.061), ninth in Success Rate (47.3 percent), second in yards-per-play average (6.3) and eighth in points per drive (2.41). While there have been issues in the run game, that might say more about running backs Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet.
Kubiak, who turns 39 years old in February, also spent time under Kyle Shanahan as the San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator in 2023, and he’s worked under several respected NFL head coaches both in Denver and Minnesota. If the Raiders want an offensive-minded head coach who has a track record of improving passing games, Kubiak might be the best option.
Adam Stenavich, Green Bay Packers Offensive Coordinator
The Raiders offensive line is abysmal and is the biggest reason why this offense has dramatically fallen short of expectations this season. Ideally, Las Vegas could make a run at Detroit Lions run game coordinator and offensive line coach Hank Fraley. However, the 48-year-old might rightfully believe he’s better off waiting for a better opportunity to increase his hopes of being a successful first-time head coach.
Instead, we’re highlighting Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich. Turning 43 in March, he’s been interviewed for a head-coaching vacancy (Chicago Bears) recently. Plus, as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero notes, Stenavich works with both the quarterbacks and run game. That’s in addition to his background as the Packers offensive line coach from 2019-21, when they had one of the league’s best lines.
There’s another connection here, too. Stenavich is a Michigan alum who played left tackle for the Wolverines for three seasons and then became an assistant on the program (2011-13). If Brady wants Las Vegas to build through the trenches with a coach that has a background working with every unit of the offense, Stenavich could be a compelling option.
