Las Vegas Raiders News & Rumors

Raiders QB Notes: Lamar, Garoppolo, Rodgers, Mac, Hoyer

March 7th, 2023 at 7:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

After an unusual number of teams have been mentioned as not being interested in Lamar Jackson, the Raiders can be included as a potential suitor. The Silver and Black have not eliminated Jackson or any of the big-name QBs still available, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com tweets.

Jackson would represent the biggest fish left, and the list of teams listed as early stay-aways dwarfs those being connected to the Ravens’ franchise player. The Commanders, Dolphins, Falcons and Panthers have been connected to steering clear of Jackson — at least on the fully guaranteed contract he seeks. The Raiders moved on from Derek Carr and created some cap space as a result, though they still have three skill-position players — Davante Adams, Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow — tied to extensions.

It would cost the Raiders at least two first-round picks to obtain Jackson from the Ravens, who would have the option to match an offer sheet. The teams could also work out a trade involving another compensation package.

The Raiders’ most logical connection remains Jimmy Garoppolo, who has ties to Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler. The Raiders were mentioned as a potential Garoppolo suitor in January, and many at the Combine voiced an expectation the team will pursue the former Patriots and 49ers passer, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes.

Garoppolo still might be a backup plan, with Aaron Rodgers rumblings surfacing again. The Jets are currently meeting with the future Hall of Famer, but Graziano adds McDaniels has long respected him. Pushback regarding the Raiders’ Rodgers interest has also emerged, and McDaniels indicated an aim to develop a young passer. Rodgers would not qualify as a bridge option like Garoppolo, as a trade for the Packers great would be for a Super Bowl run. Garoppolo, conversely, could be used as a high-end placeholder.

The Jets have made their interest in Rodgers crystal clear, and the Packers greenlit an all-hands-on-deck Jets recruiting effort Tuesday in California. The Raiders have kept their cards closer to the vest. Way back when Rodgers dropped his initial trade-request bombshell on the league — in April 2021 — the Raiders joined the Broncos as being an acceptable destination. Much has changed in Las Vegas since. Jon Gruden making a controversial exit that ultimately led to McDaniels and Ziegler taking over, but that duo signed off on a blockbuster trade for Adams. Rodgers attempted to convince Adams to stay in Green Bay last year, but the longtime Carr ally had made up his mind.

In the event Rodgers removes himself from the Jets’ equation, Garoppolo would have an apparent path to New York. But he spent the first three-plus seasons of his career in McDaniels’ offense. After the new Raiders power duo deemed Carr an iffy fit for McDaniels’ attack, a familiar face running the show would be a logical move for the team.

On the familiarity front, Graziano also mentions chatter about the Raiders having interest in acquiring Mac Jones while adding the Patriots are unlikely to move him. Jones regressed last season and fared better under McDaniels compared to Matt Patricia, but the Pats appear prepared to see how their 2021 first-rounder looks in Bill O’Brien‘s offense. The Raiders have eyes on another ex-Patriot, however, with the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin adding Brian Hoyer would be on McDaniels’ radar as a mentor-type presence. But Hoyer is leaning toward retiring, per Volin. McDaniels worked with Hoyer, 37, from 2017-18 and again from 2020-21. The former Patriots UDFA has been in the NFL since 2008.

The Raiders have begun talks to bring back Jarrett Stidham, who has been a McDaniels pupil at every step of his NFL career. With only ex-UDFA Chase Garbers under contract with the Silver and Black, the team will continue to be connected to big names and/or a first-round investment at the game’s premier position.

Raiders Place Franchise Tag On Josh Jacobs

March 6th, 2023 at 4:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

MARCH 6: The Raiders have used the tag on Jacobs, per multiple reports. That will make him its third recipient this season, along with Daron Payne and Evan Engram. This marks the first time in 11 years that the Raiders have used the tag (safety Tyvon Branch being the latest example), and will extend the negotiating window for the two sides, as Jacobs looks to parlay his career-year into a top-end deal.

MARCH 3: The NFL’s leading rusher in 2022 was near the top of the projected running back free agent class of 2023. He will not, as it turns out, be able to test the open market, however. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that the Raiders will place the franchise tag on Josh Jacobs in the absence of a long-term deal being agreed upon (Twitter link).

The news comes as little surprise, given the value Jacobs demonstrated this past season. The former first-rounder racked up 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, posting career-highs in carries and yards per rush. 400 yards added in the passing game helped earn him a second Pro Bowl nod and a first ever All-Pro honor, and boost his free agent value considerably.

The Raiders declined Jacobs’ fifth-year option, which led to his contract status coming to this point in 2023. The running back tag for this season checks in at $10.1MM, a figure which would nearly double Jacobs’ career earnings to date. It would also allow him to remain with the Raiders for at least one more season, something he has expressed a desire to do. Like all other players, though, he has openly lamented the possibility of playing on the one-year tag in lieu of a multi-year contract.

Raiders coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler have stated a willingness to retain Jacobs, 25, despite their decision last offseason to decline his fifth-year option. That could still come in the form of a long-term deal being finalized before the March 7 tag deadline; Jacobs said at the Pro Bowl that talks on a new contract were expected to start. Progress on that front will be worth watching closely in the coming days, as the running back market will likely get thinned out.

The franchise tag is the expected outcome in the case of the Cowboys and Tony Pollard, and a distinct possibility for the Giants and Saquon Barkley. Jacobs being taken off the market would help the free agent stock for the pair of NFC East rushers, but all three RBs being tagged would have a ripple effect on free agency. Miles Sanders and David Montgomery could find themselves as the top players at the position due for a second contract, though a number of veterans – including Leonard Fournette – are set to hit the market as well.

Even if the tag ends up being used on Jacobs (which would extend the negotiating window between he and the Raiders into mid-July), Vegas would still find themselves with more financial flexibility than most other teams. The Raiders currently has more than $48MM in cap space, and a Jacobs tag would not cut too deeply into that figure. Of course, a quarterback addition of some kind would eat into the team’s available funds, though a veteran acquisition may not be in the cards this offseason. In any case, Jacobs will remain in the Silver and Black for at least one more year.

NFL Draft Rumors: Combine, Richardson, Raiders

March 5th, 2023 at 8:55pm CST by Ely Allen

The league is making efforts to change systemic issues in the combine interview process this year. As issues have been unveiled in the line of questioning that some team interviewers use, the NFL has responded with a potential punishment. Teams and their representatives could be fined a minimum of $350,000 and required to forfeit a draft pick “no later than the third round” if they are found to have conducted themselves “in an inappropriate or unlawful manner” during an interview, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.

Examples of inappropriate lines of questions would be those that concern a prospect’s race, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation, as none of these are factors that affect the playing ability of a prospect. In the past, we’ve heard such issues as former Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland asking if wide receiver Dez Bryant‘s mother was a prostitute or a coach for the Falcons asking cornerback Eli Apple about his sexual preference, obvious questions that would never be allowed in the course of a normal job interview.

The league also provided teams with plenty of examples of “high-risk questions” and their more acceptable alternatives. Instead of asking if a player suffers from mental illness, a team can inquire about any obstacles or hardships the prospect has overcome in their course of success. Instead of asking if a player was ever in “special education” classes, a team can ask if the player has any difficulties in learning and playing the game and whether or not they need any accommodations to play. Instead of asking if a player or anyone in the player’s family is an alcoholic, a team can ask the less pointed question of whether or not they drink alcohol.

Issues, such as the behavior of team staffers in interviews, are becoming more and more relevant as the combine flirts with obsoletion. With personal workouts and pro days proving to be the preferred method of evaluation for athletes, the combine is losing support. The event is still super important for small-school prospects who won’t have the same exposure at their own pro days, but if larger surrounding schools are willing to host their smaller, nearby competitors even this issue could be alleviated.

For now, the league will do what it can to make sure that, as long as the event is still happening, it’s done in a way that’s safe and appropriate for future NFL players.

Here are a few more rumors about the upcoming NFL Draft:

There’s been plenty of discussion surrounding the draft stock of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, with projections anywhere from No. 1 overall pick to the fourth round. Regardless, Richardson reportedly did more than anyone else in Indianapolis this week to help his draft stock with an outstanding combine performance, according to Michael David Smith of NBC Sports. At 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, Richardson put up impressive numbers with a 4.43 40-yard dash, a broad jump of ten feet and nine inches, and a best ever for a quarterback vertical jump of 40.5 inches. As impressive as those numbers are, many teams already lauded him on his athleticism; they needed to see him throw a football. Here, Richardson excelled, again. Over the course of throwing drills, Richardson displayed an arm talent that many questioned was present. Do low-pressure throws to receivers running against air make scouts forget about his 53.8 completion percentage last year? It’s hard to say, but Richardson is doing everything he can to give NFL teams something to think about over the next two months.
The Raiders spent their fair share of time evaluating the quarterback position this past week in Indianapolis. In a mailbag to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, many fans inquired about life post-Derek Carr. Through all the questions, one thing became (relatively) clear: the Raiders are impressed with Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. The general consensus is that, with the No. 7 overall pick, Stroud will not fall to Las Vegas, leading many to ask about a trade up. Bonsignore seems to be under the impression that Las Vegas feels Richardson or Kentucky passer Will Levis will fall to them at seven. He also projected a 60-percent probability that the team trades up for Stroud as opposed to waiting for Richardson or Levis. However much time remains until a decision must be made, it appears that Las Vegas favors Stroud at this point in time.

AFC Coaching Updates: Wayne, Raiders, Texans, Browns

March 3rd, 2023 at 9:12pm CST by Ely Allen

Despite the change in head coach from Frank Reich to Shane Steichen, former elite wide receiver Reggie Wayne will remain as the Colts‘ wide receivers coach in 2023, according to a tweet from Wayne’s account. After a challenging first year coaching one of the league’s youngest wide receivers rooms, Wayne will be back for a second year.

Last year, many knew Wayne faced a challenge. The team returned top wideout Michael Pittman, who was coming off of a 1,082-yard, six-touchdown season. The biggest issue following Pittman’s breakout year, though, was his lack of help. Behind Pittman, the Colts’ two leading wide receivers were Zach Pascal with 384 yards and T.Y. Hilton with 331 yards. Wayne needed to coach up some help for Pittman.

Wayne’s efforts of supporting Pittman focused on a healthy season for fourth-year wide receiver Parris Campbell and a strong rookie year from second-round pick Alec Pierce. Campbell had appeared in only 15 of a possible 49 games in his first three seasons and had failed to ever surpass 200 receiving yards. In 2022 under Wayne, Campbell appeared in every game and recorded career-highs in receptions (63), receiving yards (623), and receiving touchdowns (3). Pierce backed him up with a strong rookie campaign that saw him supplement Pittman and Campbell with 41 catches for 593 yards and two touchdowns.

The Colts could certainly use some more support from the depth pieces in the receivers room, but a second year of Wayne overseeing the development of Pittman, Campbell, and Pierce should excite Colts fans. That is, as long Steichen and company can figure out a strong passing option from Nick Foles, Matt Ryan, and Sam Ehlinger.

Here are a few more coaching updates from around the AFC:

The Raiders have hired Derius Swinton II as their new assistant special teams coach, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Las Vegas needed to fill the position after former assistant special teams coach Maurice Drayton left to accept the role of head coach at his alma mater, The Citadel. Swinton didn’t coach in the NFL last year after being fired from his job of special teams coordinator by the Chargers following the 2021 season.
The Texans have brought on a defensive coaching assistant from the college ranks, hiring Miami (Fla.) defensive ends coach Rod Wright as a defensive assistant, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. In his first year with the Hurricanes, Wright did a strong job of getting production out of transfers and holdovers from before the era of current head coach Mario Cristobal. This will be Wright’s first position in the NFL after coaching gigs at Texas, Sam Houston State, East Carolina, and UTSA.
We’ve covered a couple of new hires to the Browns coaching staff this offseason, but the team made a few changes to current staffers’ roles that necessitate reporting, according to Browns staff writer Anthony Polsal. Callie Brownson received the title of assistant wide receivers coach in addition to her role of chief of staff last season, and she will move into a full-time role as assistant wide receivers coach, dropping the moniker of chief of staff. Formerly an offensive quality control coach, Ashton Grant has been promoted to the role of offensive assistant with a focus on quarterbacks. After serving as a scouting assistant for the team since 2020, Riley Hecklinski has been granted the role of coordinator of coaching logistics. Former assistant defensive backs coach Brandon Lynch has been promoted to cornerbacks coach. Lastly, Kevin Rogers, who has served as a senior offensive assistant with the team since 2020, will move to the role of senior assistant/special projects.

AFC West Notes: Waller, Chiefs, Broncos

March 3rd, 2023 at 10:39am CST by Sam Robinson

Darren Waller came up in trade talks last year, generating Packers interest ahead of the deadline, and the veteran tight end missed a big chunk of the Raiders‘ season due to a nagging hamstring injury that may or may not have irked some with the team. This came after the Raiders reached a three-year, $51MM extension with the former Pro Bowler just before the season. Despite Waller’s disappointing slate and the team moving on from Derek Carr, Jeff Howe of The Athletic notes the Silver and Black are not looking to move on from the talented tight end (subscription required).

Waller’s $12MM cap number checks in considerably lower than Chandler Jones‘ ($19.3MM), but Howe adds the latter is also unlikely to be moved. The Raiders did not receive what they had hoped from Jones, who totaled just 4.5 sacks and seven QB hits in his Las Vegas debut. The Raiders would save $9MM-plus by trading Jones, 33, but the ex-Cardinals All-Pro’s trade value may not be especially high right now. Jones still has $16MM in guarantees remaining on his three-year, $51MM deal.

Here is the latest from the AFC West:

The Chiefs had once eyed Mike Kafka to succeed Eric Bieniemy as OC, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, but they had envisioned the latter landing a head coaching job. Bieniemy famously failed to do so and ended up leaving for a play-calling role in Washington after five years. This proved too long for Kafka to wait; he is now the Giants’ play-caller and joined this year’s HC carousel. Benefiting from the past two offseasons’ events, Matt Nagy replaced Kafka as QBs coach and has since replaced Bieniemy. Nagy’s Bears HC shortcomings notwithstanding, Breer adds he is seen as a possible Andy Reid heir apparent in Kansas City. Reid shot down retirement rumors after Super Bowl LVII, but the future Hall of Famer will turn 65 this month and is going into his 25th season as a head coach.
Graham Glasgow, Ronald Darby and Chase Edmonds loom as cut candidates for the Broncos, who have some needs to fill in free agency. It is possible the Broncos release all three, Troy Renck of Denver7 tweets. Denver restructured Glasgow’s contract in 2022 and saw him become needed after injuries to guard Quinn Meinerz and center Lloyd Cushenberry. But the team can save $11MM by releasing Glasgow. The team can add $9.6MM by cutting Darby, who suffered a torn ACL in October. Rookie Damarri Mathis fared decently replacing the veteran opposite Patrick Surtain II. The Broncos picked up Edmonds at the deadline from the Dolphins; they can save $5.9MM by releasing the ex-Cardinals starter. Denver should be able to add a veteran for cheaper, given this year’s crowded running back market, and Sean Payton favorite Latavius Murray is likely a candidate to be re-signed.
For what it’s worth, Russell Wilson‘s office is no longer in use. The space that drew considerable attention as the former Seahawks star struggled in Denver has been cleaned out, Mike Klis of 9News notes. While Broncos players did not necessarily voice issues about Wilson’s office, it attracted scrutiny during a 5-12 season. Wilson previously agreed to stop using it during the season’s final two weeks.
Kyle Van Noy wants to stay with the Chargers, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, who notes the versatile linebacker should have a chance to return. The Bolts signed Van Noy to a low-cost deal late in the 2022 offseason. His role expanded after Joey Bosa‘s groin injury, and the 13-game starter hit the five-sack mark for the fifth time in the past six seasons. Conversely, Morgan Fox will probably depart in free agency, Popper adds. Fox registered 6.5 sacks and likely will price himself out of Los Angeles, as the Bolts want to re-sign right tackle Trey Pipkins and linebacker Drue Tranquill.
Mecole Hardman recently underwent groin surgery, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. The November injury kept the contract-year wide receiver out of Super Bowl LVII. Hardman will attempt to get healthy ahead of a free agency bid, with Howe adding he will need around two months to recover (Twitter link). The Chiefs have Hardman and JuJu Smith-Schuster set to hit the market. Mutual interest exists between the Chiefs and Smith-Schuster.

Coaching Notes: Chiefs, Colts, Clay, Zampese

March 3rd, 2023 at 9:56am CST by Sam Robinson

As Matt Nagy returns to the offensive coordinator post he held from 2016-17, the Chiefs are promoting his lieutenant. Former assistant quarterbacks coach David Girardi will replace Nagy as QBs coach, Andy Reid confirmed this week. Girardi has been the Chiefs’ assistant QBs coach for the past two years, working under Nagy and Mike Kafka. He previously served as a quality control assistant in Kansas City, moving to the NFL from Division I-FCS Lafayette College. Girardi will now move closer to a potential OC position, seeing as four Reid assistants have either become HCs or OCs elsewhere during his time in Missouri.

Here is the latest from the coaching ranks:

Ken Zampese interviewed for the Commanders‘ OC job, and while the recent Washington QBs coach will be staying with the team, he will not remain in that position under Bieniemy . Zampese, a former Bengals OC, is moving to the role of senior offensive advisor/game management. He has been with the team throughout Ron Rivera‘s tenure. Bieniemy is bringing in Tavita Pritchard to become the Commanders’ next QBs coach. This previously rumored hire will take Pritchard from his longtime place on David Shaw‘s Stanford staff. Formerly an assistant under Shaw and Jim Harbaugh, Pritchard spent the past five seasons as the Pac-12 program’s OC.
Previously the QBs coach on Kliff Kingsbury‘s Cardinals staff, one that did not employ an OC, Cam Turner is joining the Colts. Shane Steichen is hiring Turner to be Indianapolis’ QBs coach, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Turner, 35, was previously with the Panthers prior to the four-year Arizona stay; he will replace Scott Milanovich in Indy. The Colts are also hiring Tony Sparano Jr. as their offensive line coach, Art Stapleton of the Bergen Record notes (on Twitter). The second-generation NFL coach spent last season as the Giants‘ assistant O-line coach; he had held that role with the Jaguars and Panthers previously. Sparano, 36, joins ex-Giants running backs coach DeAndre Smith as Steichen Colts hires.
Although the Eagles became the first team since the Bengals nine years ago to see both their OC and DC become head coaches in the same offseason, the NFC champs are retaining their third coordinator. ST boss Michael Clay will also receive a new contract. The Eagles are adding a year to Clay’s deal and giving him a raise, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets. Clay, 31, has been with the team since 2021.
Sean Payton is hiring former Northwestern running backs coach Lou Ayeni to work in the same role for the Broncos, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. Northwestern HC Pat Fitzgerald has been on the NFL radar for a bit, and the Wildcats will lose their second assistant to the NFL this offseason. Ryan Smith is now the Cardinals’ DBs coach. Ayeni has worked mostly at the college level, being the run-game coordinator at Iowa State during David Montgomery‘s tenure.
Ravens outside linebackers coach Rob Leonard will join the Raiders‘ staff, per John Harbaugh. Leonard is joining Josh McDaniels‘ assistant cadre as linebackers coach. Leonard joined the Ravens in 2022, having spent the previous three seasons on Brian Flores‘ Dolphins staff. He spent the previous six years with the Giants. The Ravens are still searching for wide receivers and safeties coaches, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec adds. Harbaugh said internal hires are possible there (Twitter link).
The Commanders are also reshuffling a bit on their defensive staff. Brent Vieselmeyer will rise to the role of secondary coach, with Christian Garcia set to be the team’s assistant DBs coach. Vieselmeyer will replace Chris Harris, who received DC interest this offseason before moving to Tennessee’s staff as the team’s cornerbacks coach.

Latest On Raiders’ QB Situation

March 2nd, 2023 at 6:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

Since their decision to move on from Derek Carr, questions have been raised about which direction the Raiders will go in at the quarterback position. As they and other teams continue the evaluation process of both free agent and draft options, much remains uncertain.

General manager Dave Ziegler recently acknowledged that a long-term Carr successor may not be in place by the time the 2023 season kicks off. That was particularly noteworthy given the fact that the Raiders currently hold the seventh overall pick in the upcoming draft, and that they have a number of free agent priorities to address with the money which would be saved by not acquiring a high-end veteran starter. Comments from head coach Josh McDaniels point to a rookie passer still being a distinct possibility for next year, though.

When speaking about the work he and the Raiders would do in meeting with and evaluating the 2023 QB class during the combine, McDaniels affirmed that the organization’s goal does remain adding someone who is “going to be a Raider for a long time.” Las Vegas would have to compete with the likes of the Texans, Colts and Panthers in terms of teams holding top-10 picks which are likely to be targeting rookie passers. Jockeying with those squads could become increasingly relevant given the Bears’ willingness to move the No. 1 pick.

“The goal for us, eventually, is to have somebody that’s going to be here for a long time,” McDaniels elaborated, via ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez. “You see the teams that are having success right now in our league, our conference and specifically in our division, they’re young players that were drafted by their clubs and they’re being developed there under the same continuity.”

Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud are likely to be out of the Raiders’ range barring a trade up the board, but other quarterbacks like Kentucky’s Will Levis or Florida’s Anthony Richardson could be options. The team’s evaluations of those passers will become crucial in informing their short- and long-term plans at the position, though McDaniels pointed out that “a number of” QBs will be acquired in the coming weeks and months.

Part of the reason for that, of course, is the fact that Jarrett Stidham, who finished the year as the team’s starter, is not under contract. On that point, Ziegler noted (via Vic Tafur of The Athletic) that talks have begun with the former Patriots draftee. He added that the team is “happy” with Stidham’s performance in his brief audition after Carr was benched, though at least one other option capable of competing for the starting role will no doubt be added in either March or April. Which path the Raiders take to accomplish that very much remains up in the air.

Raiders May Not Acquire Long-Term QB In 2023

February 23rd, 2023 at 2:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the Derek Carr era officially over in Las Vegas, attention has turned to what the Raiders plan to do at the quarterback position. An acquisition of some kind is all-but assured this offseason, but it might not entail one the team views as a cornerstone of the future.

Carr’s release leaves the Raiders with only Jarrett Stidham and Chase Garbers on the roster at the moment. The former – who took over as the starter after Carr was benched for the final two games of the regular season – is a pending free agent, albeit one which Vegas would no doubt like to keep in the fold after his brief 2022 audition. The former Patriots fourth-rounder lost both of his starts, but flashed potential in an overtime loss to the 49ers in particular.

Vegas traded for Stidham, 26, last offseason to add depth at the position and reunite him with head coach Josh McDaniels. Their time together in 2022 likely earned the Auburn product an extended stay with the Silver and Black, but the Raiders have the financial wherewithal to make a significant addition ahead of him on the depth chart in free agency. The seventh overall pick in April’s draft will also likely give them an opportunity to select one of this class’ top passers. A more short-term plan might be in play, however.

During an appearance on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast, Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler addressed the team’s uncertain future under center. “We’re in charge of filling the most important position on the team,” he said. “There’s some pressure that comes along with that, and however we fill it, it doesn’t mean we’re going to have an immediate answer this year. But, at the end of the day, we have to have an answer in some form or fashion. There’s pressure that comes along with it. That’s also part of the excitement too.”

The arrival of Ziegler and McDaniels pointed to a multiyear retool of a team which made the playoffs in 2021. However, expectations were raised after the additions of several big-name players, including Davante Adams and Chandler Jones, making the team’s 6-11 season a notable disappointment. A bridge veteran such as Jimmy Garoppolo would be a logical addition to help lead a rebound in 2023, while Stidham or a younger option are groomed for a later ascension to the No. 1 role.

Of course, the possibility remains that Stidham is given the reins via a prove-it contract, leaving the Raiders free to draft a developmental option in the spring. The money saved by going that route would allow for additions elsewhere, particularly on defense. At some point, though, a true Carr successor will need to be found, and pressure will certainly increase on Ziegler and Co. until one is acquired.

AFC Coaching Notes: Ventrone, Browns, Broncos, Joseph, Raiders, Dolphins, Texans

February 22nd, 2023 at 2:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

After the Colts changed coaching staffs, Bubba Ventrone will have an opportunity to land on his feet. The Indianapolis special teams coordinator is on track to interview with the Browns, and ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder tweets the Colts are expecting to lose him to the Cleveland job. Ventrone spent five seasons in Indianapolis and is a well-regarded ST coordinator. The Browns are also interviewing Giants assistant special teams coach Anthony Blevins, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports tweets. That meeting is expected to commence via Zoom today, per CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson (on Twitter). The Browns fired ST coordinator Mike Preiffer earlier this week. Blevins has been with the Giants for the past five years.

Here is the latest from the coaching ranks:

Prior to the Cardinals making Nick Rallis the NFL’s youngest active coordinator, at 29, the Broncos had him on their radar. Denver showed interest in the former Philadelphia linebackers coach, Troy Renck of Denver7 notes. Rallis is a cool 31 years younger than the favorite to land the Denver job (Rex Ryan), but the Broncos are still eyeing Vance Joseph. Despite being fired after two seasons as Denver’s HC, Joseph is interested in coming back, Renck adds. The Eagles also have eyes on the ex-Cardinals DC; they are finishing up a two-day interview Wednesday.
The Colts are hiring University of Cincinnati offensive coordinator Tom Manning as their tight ends coach, Aaron Wilson of KPRC tweets. This will be a reunion for Manning, who was on Frank Reich‘s first Colts staff as tight ends coach. Manning had recently accepted Cincinnati’s offer to be its OC, coming over after a four-year stay on Matt Campbell‘s Iowa State staff. The ex-Cyclones OC drew interest from multiple NFL teams, per Wilson.
The Browns will look to the college ranks as well. They are set to hire Utah State defensive coordinator Ephraim Banda to be their safeties coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel (Twitter links). Prior to his two-year run in Utah, Banda spent the previous two seasons as the University of Miami’s co-DC.
To fill their safeties coach post, the Dolphins are adding Eagles assistant Joe Kasper, Cameron Wolfe of NFL.com tweets. Kasper joined the Eagles’ staff in Nick Sirianni‘s first year; this will be a move up the ladder, bringing positional responsibilities Kasper’s way for the first time.
The Raiders fired defensive line coach Frank Okam, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal notes. A former NFL D-lineman, Okam came to Las Vegas after two years on Matt Rhule‘s Carolina staff. The Raiders struggled on defense for most of the season, dropping from 14th to 28th in total defense. Rather than can DC Patrick Graham, the team is moving on from one of his lieutenants.
In addition to ST coordinator Frank Ross, the Texans are also retaining wide receivers coach Ben McDaniels, Wilson writes. The younger brother of Josh McDaniels, Ben has been with the Texans since Nick Caserio‘s 2021 arrival. While Ben McDaniels has never worked for the Patriots, Caserio has been close with Josh McDaniels for many years. The Texans promoted Ben McDaniels from assistant wideouts coach in 2022.

Raiders Want To Keep LB Denzel Perryman

February 19th, 2023 at 2:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

Not much went according to plan for the Raiders in 2022, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. That will no doubt lead to several changes being made this offseason, but one veteran presence could find himself staying in Las Vegas.

Linebacker Denzel Perryman finished out his existing contract in 2022, after a summer which included talks of an extension being signed. He made it clear in July that he was aiming for a new deal, an understandable stance after he enjoyed a career-year in 2021. His 154 tackles helped him earn a Pro Bowl nod, and set him up for another season as a full-time starter this year.

In 2022, the 30-year-old was once again a mainstay in the middle of the Raiders’ defense, though he saw a downtick in usage. Perryman’s snap share dropped to 70%, down from 84% in his debut season with the Silver and Black. He made 83 stops and added one sack and 14 tackles for loss before missing the end of the regular season with a dislocated shoulder. Those numbers earned him a PFF grade of 74.2, the third-highest of his career. He graded out as a top-20 linebacker for the first time, in large part due to his strength as a run-stopper.

They could also put the former second-rounder in line for a new Raiders pact. Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal writes that the team “would like him back, provided it makes sense financially.” Perryman had a base salary of $1.12MM last year, and carried a cap hit of just over $3MM. Given his production during his two years in Vegas, he could command much larger numbers than that on the open market, if he makes it to free agency next month.

The Raiders now have the third-most cap space in the league after releasing quarterback Derek Carr, so they have the flexibility to keep Perryman in the fold if they wish to do so. Vegas also has a number of other pending UFAs at the second level of their defense, including Jayon Brown and Micah Kiser. While that leaves the team with the option of looking elsewhere in free agency and the draft, it would come as little surprise if they re-upped Perryman in the near future.

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