Kliff Kingsbury won’t be the next offensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders as expected after he withdrew his name from consideration late Friday night, league sources said. Both sides thought a deal was done Thursday afternoon, but the contract wasn’t able to get finalized to the point where Kingsbury could sign it.
Kingsbury, 44, had a 28-37-1 record as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2019 to 2022. He worked as a senior offensive analyst for USC last season.
Kingsbury potentially joining the Washington Commanders is something to monitor, a league source told The Athletic. With the No. 2 pick in the draft, the Commanders have a clearer shot at drafting a top quarterback than the Raiders do at No. 13.
Kingsbury, who coached Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M and Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech, worked with Caleb Williams last season at USC.
Kingsbury was one of five candidates who interviewed for Las Vegas’ offensive coordinator position. Mike Sullivan, Luke Getsy and Alex Van Pelt also talked with new head coach Antonio Pierce last week, and the NFL Network reported that Pierce met with UCLA coach and former Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly this week. Van Pelt has since taken the Patriots offensive coordinator job.
The Raiders also requested permission to interview Buccaneers QBs coach Thad Lewis and were interested in 49ers passing game specialist Klint Kubiak, but he appears set to take the New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator position.
How the Raiders’ QB situation impacts their OC search
The Raiders’ precarious quarterback situation could be a factor in their elongated offensive coordinator search. They’re set to move on from Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason after his disastrous six-game stretch as the starter in 2023. And Aidan O’Connell, who replaced Garoppolo, looked like he’s best served as a reliable backup.
In all likelihood, the Raiders need to find a new quarterback this offseason. The issue is their paths to do so are restricted. The free agent options aren’t very intriguing outside of Kirk Cousins, and his price will likely be too steep. They could explore a trade for a player such as Justin Fields, but there’s currently little buzz on that front. And, with the No. 13 pick, there’s no guarantee they’re able to land a top quarterback prospect. With such an unclear picture at quarterback, the Raiders’ OC job may not have as much appeal as others. — Tashan Reed, Raiders senior writer
Washington’s coaching carousel is still turning
And you thought the Commanders had their fill of coaching hire drama this year.
This theater is occurring initially near the Vegas strip rather than in proximity to the halls of Congress, but Washington may turn from a bit player to center stage depending on its search process. Similar to the head coach exploration that landed on Cowboys DC Dan Quinn after weeks of speculation that the job would go to Detroit OC Ben Johnson, Washington is weighing options with the offensive coordinator scenario.
Kingsbury would provide added fodder to the off-season buzz. Washington is likely to draft a quarterback with the No. 2 selection to compete with or supplant incumbent Sam Howell. Williams is a possibility either by remaining on the board or the Commanders trading with the Bears for the first pick. North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels are in play for top three selections.
Kingsbury coached the Cardinals to an 11-6 record in 2021, but Arizona cratered to a 4-13 mark the following year in his fourth and final campaign. The rise and fall of Kyler Murray, selected first in 2019, weighed heavily in the franchise’s success and Kingsbury’s subsequent dismissal.
Washington OC Eric Bieniemy has one year remaining on his contract. Though interviewed for the head coach job, the coordinator does not appear in consideration to remain in that role.
Other rumored candidates include UCLA’s Kelly, Cowboys OC Brian Schottenheimer and former Eagles OC Brian Johnson. 49ers QB coach Brian Griese, Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand and 49ers TE coach Brian Fleury are among other possible targets. Kubiak’s availability appears over based on reports that San Francisco’s passing game coordinator is in talks with the Saints for their OC opening. As Kingsbury showed us, nothing is over until contracts are signed. — Ben Standig, Commanders senior writer
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