The Las Vegas Raiders fired head coach Pete Carroll on Monday, the team announced. Carroll was expected to bring leadership, sustained results, and organizational stability to Vegas. He brought the opposite, as the Raiders finished 3-14 in a truly disastrous campaign that netted the franchise the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Raiders were hoping to end the cycle of firing a head coach and/or GM every year, but Carroll earned his dismissal. He drove the bus on the team acquiring an aging Geno Smith at quarterback and signing him to a multi-year extension. The Raiders should have rebuilt instead. Smith and Carroll failed to make the Raiders contenders, and they'll be willing to absorb financial penalties to sever ties with both.
Despite the yearly dysfunction, the Raiders’ job is attractive due to the possibility that Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore will be the quarterback next season. There’s talent in Vegas and a quick turnaround is possible. We've identified three potential candidates for the Raiders’ head coaching vacancy.
Brian Flores, Vikings DC
The Raiders' team statement revealed that minority owner Tom Brady will play a crucial role in the head coaching search along with primary owner Mark Davis and general manager John Spytek. With Brady having a voice, expect Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores to be a candidate. The seven-time Super Bowl-winning QB spent 11 seasons alongside Flores with the New England Patriots.
Flores failed in his first head coaching opportunity with the Miami Dolphins. Flores became the Vikings' defensive coordinator in 2023 and has routinely elevated them to being a top-five unit on the field. Brady will likely strongly recommend that Flores gets an interview in Vegas.
Kliff Kingsbury, Commanders OC
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury finds himself in a strange position. He's expected to interview for multiple head coaching vacancies this offseason. Meanwhile, the Commanders are thinking of parting ways with him after a disappointing 5-12 season that was ravaged by injury.
Kingsbury possesses a brilliant offensive mind. He's catapulted two quarterbacks—Kyler Murray and Jayden Daniels—to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. That should appeal to a Raiders organization that's about to draft a quarterback at No. 1 overall. Kingsbury's tenure as the Arizona Cardinals' head coach has aged a little more gracefully, making him a top retread candidate this cycle.
Jesse Minter, Chargers DC
Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is expected to be a top candidate this cycle. NFL teams are not permitted to speak with him this week due to the Chargers playing on Wild-Card Weekend. The Raiders must show a little patience if they want to discuss their vacancy with Minter.
Minter has coached under both John and Jim Harbaugh, an experience that has prepared him to lead his own franchise. He won a National Championship at Michigan and also worked for one of the best organizations, the Baltimore Ravens. Furthermore, the Raiders would love to weaken a division rival. In two games against Minter's defense this season, the Raiders managed just 23 combined points.
