Reports: Raiders Request To Interview Patriots’ OC For Head Coach Opening

SALT LAKE CITY – The Las Vegas Raiders put in a request to interview New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for the team’s head coach position, according to multiple reports.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport both shared news of the Raiders’ interest in McDaniels on Thursday, January 27.

McDaniels is “considered a top candidate,” according to Rapoport.

Rapoport added that Patriots director of player personnel Dave Ziegler has already interviewed for the Raiders’ general manager vacancy.

McDaniels will reportedly interview with Las Vegas on Friday, January 28.

A pairing of #Patriots de facto GM Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels has always loomed for the #Raiders. If all goes well tomorrow, it could happen. https://t.co/IoFaERAxBX

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 27, 2022

After posting a 10-7 record in the regular season, the Raiders’ 2021 campaign came to an end in a 26-19 road loss to the Cincinnati Bengals during the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs on January 15.

Las Vegas has been without a full-time head coach since Jon Gruden’s resignation on October 11, 2021. Rich Bissacia served as the team’s interim head coach after Gruden’s departure.

McDaniels, 45, has served as New England’s offensive coordinator since 2012. He is currently in his second stint with the Patriots. McDaniels was first hired as a personnel assistant for the Patriots in 2001. After a few seasons and different roles with the franchise, he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2005.

Raiders already have interviewed New England personnel executive Dave Ziegler, putting a Patriots pairing in play in Las Vegas. https://t.co/w2DZER0Wi2

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2022

After the 2008 season, the Denver Broncos hired McDaniels as their head coach. The Broncos fired McDaniels during his second season after the team opened the year with a 3-9 record. He finished his time in Denver with a 11-17 overall record. The Raiders and Broncos both play in the AFC West Division.

After spending the 2011 season as the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams, McDaniels was re-hired by Bill Belichick as New England’s OC.

McDaniels nearly became the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts in 2018. Indianapolis announced McDaniels as its next coach following a verbal agreement. However, McDaniels spurned the Colts, withdrew from the position on the same day of Indianapolis’ announcement, and returned to New England.

During his time with the Patriots, McDaniels coached all-time great Tom Brady and helped New England win six Super Bowl championships.

#Raiders owner Mark Davis has had interest in Josh McDaniels for weeks. Hard to imagine he puts in the request without believing McDaniels would take the job. This all gets real tomorrow. https://t.co/IoFaERAxBX

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 27, 2022

If the Raiders were to hire McDaniels, the move would take one of the multiple NFL head coach openings off the table for prospective candidates, including Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines’ coach has been rumored as a candidate for Las Vegas’ opening in recent weeks.

Notable for eliminating possible college ripples in Vegas. https://t.co/1Jhzqoo8Mv

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 27, 2022

The Raiders’ postseason berth this season was their first since the 2016 season and second since 2002, the last season in which the team appeared in the Super Bowl. The Raiders have won three Super Bowls in franchise history. Their last championship came in 1983.

Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).

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