Who could take over offense next season?
The Las Vegas Raiders will be making, at least, three new assistant coaches in early 2025 after this week’s decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, offensive line coach James Cregg and quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello.
Of course, the first new hire on offense will be the offensive coordinator position.
We’re in the infant stages of the search and perhaps interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner, who was previously the Raiders’ pass-game coordinator, will do enough to keep the job. Also, the list will evolve as potential candidates will be became available in the coming months who may not be a logical candidate now.
But here is an early list of candidates Raiders’ head coach Antonio Pierce (assuming he keeps his job) could possibly consider, presented in alphabetical order:
Joe Bleymaier:
He is in his second season as the Kansas City Chiefs passing-game coordinator. He’s been with the team for nine season. So, the guy has been around some offensive success. It wouldn’t be bad to poached from the kings of the AFC West.
Marcus Brady:
He is a hot young coaching name. Brady is in his first season as the Los Angeles Chargers pass-game coordinator and he has seven seasons of NFL coaching experience.
Todd Downing:
Easy, now. I’m not advocating Downing to be the Raiders’ offensive coordinator again (he had a rough one season in 2017 in the role), but he is respected and he is currently calling the plays for the new York Jets. He should be available in January and he will likely get some interviews. Carry on.
Tanner Engstrand: The Detroit Lions’ passing-game coordinator had two OC coaching interviews last season and could be popular. Yet, if Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson gets a head-coaching job, Engstrand could easily replace him in Detroit.
Josh Grizzard:
The Yale product is highly regarded. He’s in his first season as the passing-game coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He’s been an NFL coach for eights seasons and may be a hot coordinator name soon.
Chip Kelly:
Pierce talked to Kelly before hiring Getsy and he may talk to him again. But Kelly seems happy as the offensive coordinator at Ohio State and he might get college head-coaching interest after the season.
Klint Kubiak:
Kubiak, the Saints’ offensive coordinator, could be popular in a couple of months. There will likely be a new staff in new Orleans after Dennis Allen’s recent firing. So, Kubiak, who was a hot name, will be sought after.
Josh McCown:
The former quarterback is considered a future head coach. But the current Minnesota Vikings’ quarterbacks coach may have to be a coordinator first. Could be a smart move by Pierce to look at him.
Scottie Montgomery:
Montgomery, who played for the Raiders in 2003, is in his fourth season in the and is currently the Detroit Lions’ running backs coach/associate head coach. He could be a nice get for Pierce, who like Lions coach Dan Campbell likes having former players on his staff. But Montgomery may get some head-coaching interest.
Kevin Patullo:
Patullo, 43, has been in the 17 for seasons and its his fifth season as a passing-game coordinator. He is also the Philadelphia Eagles’ associate head coach. It may be time he runs his own offense.
Conclusion:
Again, this will be an evolving list. But this is a good November look at some of the potential fits.