The Las Vegas Raiders coaching search became a bit easier on Saturday with the Pittsburgh Steelers hiring of Mike McCarthy, a move that leaves Las Vegas as the top head-coach destination for young assistants. Based on the latest reports regarding the Raiders coaching search, it appears those are the people being prioritized.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the belief around the league is that Las Vegas is seeking a “younger, offensive coach” to replace Pete Carroll. That aligns with additional reporting from Rapoport on two of the candidates the Raiders have significant interest in.
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The tentative plan seems to be for the organization to conduct another interview with Broncos offensive pass game coordinator Davis Webb after the AFC Championship Game. Not only does Webb not have any play-calling experience, but he has never been a coordinator at any level. However, per Rapoport, Las Vegas likes his experience at quarterback along with his leadership abilities.
Webb, who turned 31 years old on Jan. 22, joined the Broncos coaching staff in 2023 as quarterbacks coach. He has been an understudy of Sean Payton, spending the last three seasons learning from one of the best offensive minds of the league in the modern era. Webb also interviewed for the Baltimore Ravens head-coaching vacancy that went to Jesse Minter, whom the Raiders were also high on.
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Rapoport also wrote that Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak are targets of the Raiders coaching search. Both could be brought in for interviews following Conference Championship Weekend. However, Kubiak seems more in line with what the organization is looking for.
Kubiak and Joseph have also been targeted by other teams. Seattle’s play-caller was a finalist for the Atlanta Falcons head-coaching gig that went to Kevin Stefanski, and Joseph is a strong candidate to replace Jonathan Gannon as the Arizona Cardinals head coach.
The plan in Las Vegas, based on reporting in recent weeks, all points toward either Kubiak or Webb becoming the team head coach. While it would be a gamble to roll the dice on a young first-time coach, especially one without play-calling experience (Webb), the Raiders are clearly targeting coaches who have a background working with quarterbacks. Most likely, it will be Webb or Kubiak paired with reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza for the 2026 season and beyond.
