The Las Vegas Raiders must make two key decisions this offseason that will help shape the future of this team in hiring a new head coach and general manager. Of course, the franchise already has Antonio Pierce and Champ Kelly in those positions in interim roles, but it has remained unclear whether or not they will be kept on permanently.
Plenty of attention has been given to the job Pierce did as head coach and the numerous people who have vouched for the team to hire him in the role permanently. But Kelly has his supporters within the organization as well, and it seems as if the Raiders may be leaning toward giving him the permanent position.
According to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, Kelly has been present during the team’s head coaching interviews, which could very well be a sign that the Raiders plan to keep him as the general manager moving forward:
The latest signal toward that outcome was reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, as he notes that Kelly has been present for Las Vegas’ head coaching interviews this week.
That Kelly is directly involved in the process of choosing the team’s next head coach is a positive sign for his own candidacy.
It would make no sense for Kelly to be so deeply involved in the process of hiring the next head coach if he weren’t going to be kept on as general manager. And with the team having already taken the requisite interviews for both positions, the Raiders could be making an announcement soon.
Not only does it sound as if the franchise is leaning towards keeping Kelly on as general manager, but it also looks like the team is likely to hand Pierce the keys as permanent head coach as well, something that star defensive lineman Maxx Crosby would be happy with.
Nothing is official just yet, but all signs seem to be pointing toward Kelly and Pierce continuing to build on what they started.
Raiders eyeing Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator under Antonio Pierce?
Should the Raiders stick with Champ Kelly and Antonio Pierce in their respective roles permanently, there is still another big spot on the coaching staff that needs to be filled, as the offensive coordinator position is open as well.
One person who could be tabbed is former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury as a recent rumor named him as someone to keep an eye on should Pierce get the permanent job.
