The Las Vegas Raiders have named Antonio Pierce their head coach. After the locker room leader was confirmed, the Raiders were left with another coach.
The only problem is, the coach has been so good at his job this season that he’s caught the attention of nearly every team in the National Football League looking for a head coach.Quarterback Patrick Graham has turned the tweaked defense into one of the best defenses in the NFL. Not only that, but even after adding the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders had one of the lowest paid defensive rosters in the NFL.
Graham Maxx took a unit with no name other than Crosby and turned it into a respectable defense recognized as one of the best in the league, improving significantly in most categories from the previous season. Even more impressive than maximizing the talents of established players is that Graham’s defense has been more successful than ever, routinely allowing Vegas’ offense to sometimes barely move the ball and often not score at all. The defense was at a disadvantage.
.The Raiders had one of the lowest-paid defenses, but they single-handedly held the team together in a game where one of the highest-paid offenses in the league was struggling. There were some games that Graham’s defense single-handedly won.
Graham’spresence has been evident on game days this season in a variety of ways. He could also help find a way to get the most out of rookie defensive lineman Tyree Wilson after a slow start to the season. What he’s done, the odds stacked against him and his defense have made him a contender for a head coaching job elsewhere every week.
Graham deserves all the recognition and interviews for the head coaching job, but the Raiders have proven their value to their players and the organization needs to find a way to keep Graham, who will be hard to replace.The NFL Scouting Combine will be held from February 27 to March 4, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
