Several teams out there are still looking for a head coach. Among them are the Raiders and Jaguars. This week one of the Raiders assistants will head back to Jacksonville for a second interview for the Jaguars head coaching job.
Patrick Graham led a Raiders defense that came out swinging after the firing of Josh McDaniels in 2023 to finish as the best defense in the league over the latter half. And they continued to be one of the better defenses last season despite being hit with a rash of injuries.
Now the well-respected defensive coordinator is getting a look as a head coach as one of two current candidates this week getting a second interview.
The other is former Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
However, with the recent firing of GM Trent Baalke, the Jaguars are said to be waiting for a couple of other candidates from playoff teams to become available, including Joe Brady and Kellen Moore.
Worth noting: The Jaguars are not down to the two candidates who are in this week for in-person interviews (Robert Saleh and Patrick Graham). Their interview schedule is also expected to include, among others, coaches in the playoffs such as Joe Brady and Kellen Moore.
— Ian Rapoport (@rapsheet1.bsky.social) January 23, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Brady is the OC for the Bills who face the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game on Sunday. Moore is is the OC for the Eagles who face the Commanders in the NFC Championship game.
It’s possible one or both of them could be available to interview by Monday.
Many have had Dallas as the destination for Moore as head coach, likely because he spent four seasons as OC there from 2019-22. But the Cowboys are said to be finalizing a deal to make Brian Schottenheimer their next head coach.
Look for the Cowboys to cross the finish line on hiring Brian Schottenheimer no later than Friday, possibly today
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) January 23, 2025
This is why they hold the interviews. You never know how things will play out.