The Las Vegas Raiders are in the process of making sweeping changes to their organization. Through it all, interim general manager Champ Kelly has stood by the Raiders.

Specifically, Kelly has played a major role throughout Las Vegas' search for their next head coach. With Kelly so actively involved, some believe it's a sign he could be in line for the full-time GM position, via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Kelly is Champ

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With the Raiders in need of a new GM, it would make sense for that candidate to have a working relationship with whoever becomes head coach. Vegas would be in a tough spot if at the beginning of a new era, two of their biggest leaders don't see eye-to-eye.

Which is why Kelly helping lead the HC search is so important. While he hasn't been offered the full time job, he knows exactly what Las Vegas is looking for. Rather than taking the Washington Commanders approach of hiring a GM before their head coach, the Raiders have marched on with Kelly a part of the committee.

Champ Kelly has been with the Raiders since 2022, originally as the assistant general manager. Previous to Vegas, Kelly rose to assistant director of pro personnel with the Denver Broncos and assistant director of player personnel with the Chicago Bears. He has been an executive in the NFL since 2007, serving as the general manager of the Lexington Horsemen of United Indoor Football before joining the league.

Antonio Pierce has had plenty of backers in the Raiders' HC pursuit. Staying with Pierce would mean Las Vegas has a bit of continuity on their team. Promoting Kelly to the full-time role would do the same thing, as the Raiders can actually start building up.