The Las Vegas Raiders have made their two biggest moves of the offseason. Shortly after hiring New England Patriots director of player personnel Dave Ziegler as the team's general manager, the Raiders are once again pillaging New England to fill their head coach vacancy.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Las Vegas is hiring Patriots' offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to be the team's next head coach. Ziegler and McDaniels have worked together with the Patriots and Denver Broncos. It was reported that the duo would join Las Vegas together. In the aftermath of a report shooting down that idea, it has come to fruition.
McDaniels has spent 13 years as the Patriots' OC, two years as the head coach of the Broncos and one as the OC of the Los Angeles Rams back when they were situated in St. Louis. His admiration of Derek Carr likely played a part in Las Vegas hiring him, as Carr has been the franchise quarterback for nearly a decade and has just one more year on his contract.
The Raiders were linked to Jim Harbaugh heavily this offseason. Many of the players, including Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby, wanted interim head coach Rich Bisaccia — who righted the ship after the Jon Gruden debacle — to stay on as permanent head coach.
After a surprise playoff appearance, the Raiders are looking to fortify the core that got them there. McDaniels will get another crack at coaching in the AFC West.