Early in the search, former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski seemed like one of the favorites for the Raiders’ job. It now appears Las Vegas never had a real chance, as the Atlanta Falcons announced they’re hiring Stefanski. The Falcons have gone 8-9 in back-to-back seasons and boast dynamic young talent, but haven’t found the right coach to get them over the hump. 🎯🏟️
Stefanski did interview with the Raiders but chose to drop out early, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. “Miami, Baltimore and Tennessee all showed very strong interest in Kevin Stefanski, per sources. He also chose to drop out of the Las Vegas search last week,” Russini wrote. 📞🚫
Why would Stefanski not want the Raiders job? John Harbaugh didn’t seem to show interest in Las Vegas, and Stefanski just got fired by a dysfunctional Browns organization. The Raiders aren’t seen as markedly more stable, so there are understandable reservations about tackling the same problems. It sounds like Las Vegas has known for a while that Stefanski wasn’t interested, so it shouldn’t drastically alter the process. 🤔⚠️
The Raiders might have to gamble on a young coach. Landing an experienced candidate could be tough given the instability, so a less seasoned coach could be a consideration. Names floated include 30-year-old Davis Webb, who’s shown promise, and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who earned a second interview. The big fish still mentioned is Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who could end up being the best landing spot for the Raiders now that the Falcons are out. 🧒🚀🌟
