The Las Vegas Raiders will be in the market for a new head coach this offseason, and here are five realistic possibilities for the job.
If there was ever any doubt that the Las Vegas Raiders would have a new head coach in 2022, then Sunday’s 48-9 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs erased it. The Las Vegas locker room needs major change. A commanding leadership presence and an extensive offensive playbook should be key attributes when Mark Davis decides to bring in Rich Bisaccia’s replacement this offseason.
Here are a few coaches he could target that fit that mold.
Las Vegas Raiders: 5 realistic head coaching candidates for 2022
Eric Bieniemy
It seems like every offseason, Eric Bieniemy is destined to be a head coach on one of the many rebuilding NFL teams. Yet, he never gets the gig. Now that the Raiders have a vacancy, it might finally be the time that he does.
For Las Vegas, bringing in Bieniemy makes quite a bit of sense. He’s a Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator who has played a part in the creation of the NFL’s most explosive offensive. If he goes to Vegas, he could likely do the same, whether he chooses to stick with Derek Carr or eventually draft a new quarterback.
Just imagine what he could scheme up for players like Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow, and potentially Davante Adams if he is brought in during the offseason. He’s also mastered the two-back system, utilizing Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams with maximum efficiency. He’d likely be able to replicate that with Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake.
It also helps that Bieniemy works for Las Vegas’ biggest rival, the Kansas City Chiefs. That may help Las Vegas compete against KC, as Bieniemy will understand the schemes and adjustments that Andy Reid uses. Also, because of Bieniemy’s experience and football IQ, he should be able to earn a lot of respect in the locker room, which should help him become the team’s leading locker room presence that Las Vegas needs.