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5 Raiders coaching candidates (Brian Flores!) after Las Vegas fired Antonio Pierce

Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sidelines against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sidelines against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders are the latest NFL team with a head coaching vacancy after the franchise fired Antonio Pierce on Tuesday.

Pierce only got one season in the official role, and he was plagued with quarterback issues throughout the year. However, he's now gone, and Las Vegas will work to find his successor.

With former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady part of the Raiders ownership group, he'll reportedly have a role in finding the next head coach. That's going to shape the next hire.

As we think about who the next Las Vegas coach might be, let's go through five plausible candidates.

Former Titans HC Mike Vrabel

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With Brady in the Las Vegas ownership group, it wouldn't be a shock to see Las Vegas go hard after Vrabel for their vacancy. The problem? This isn't a great job right now, and the Patriots will probably go just as hard, if not harder, after Vrabel after firing Jerod Mayo. We have a feeling the Raiders will make Vrabel their top candidate, but will there be mutual interest? We'll have to see.

Vikings DC Brian Flores

Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches his team play against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches his team play against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

If the Raiders can't get Vrabel, another New England alumnus could factor into the equation. Flores is gaining lots of steam from his two excellent seasons with the Minnesota Vikings as their defensive coordinator. His 24-25 record with the Miami Dolphins looks better in the rearview, but his inability to set quarterback Tua Tagovailoa up for success doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in developing a rookie. Flores' pick of an offensive coordinator would be big for the future.

However, Las Vegas may have to snag a bridge quarterback without good 2025 NFL Draft standing to take one of the top names (at least for now). If the Raiders miss out on Vrabel and are intrigued by Flores' stint with the Dolphins, this might be a good match.

Buccaneers OC Liam Coen

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 08: Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen walks off the field after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Raymond James Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 08: Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen walks off the field after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Raymond James Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

If the Raiders want an offensive-mined head coach, Coen is a popular target in this coaching cycle. His work with Tampa Bay and quarterback Baker Mayfield in particular could make him a one-and-done coordinator with the Buccaneers. If the Raiders can swallow what's likely to be a tough 2025 and position themselves for a high 2026 NFL Draft pick, Coen could develop the next quarterback.

Steelers OC Arthur Smith

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 17: Head coach Arthur Smith of the Atlanta Falcons reacts during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 17: Head coach Arthur Smith of the Atlanta Falcons reacts during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Smith, who spent three years with the Atlanta Falcons as their head coach, is a Vrabel acolyte who never had good quarterback play in Atlanta. In Pittsburgh, he's helped resurrect quarterback Russell Wilson's career and ran an acceptable NFL offense with quarterback Justin Fields under center. Perhaps one of them joins Smith in Las Vegas for a year, and the team tries to find the quarterback of tomorrow in 2026? This might entice the Raiders.

Chiefs OC Matt Nagy

Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy during a press conference before Super Bowl LVIII at Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-749512 ORIG FILE ID: 20240207_jla_al2_040.jpg
Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy during a press conference before Super Bowl LVIII at Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-749512 ORIG FILE ID: 20240207_jla_al2_040.jpg

If the Raiders want somebody part of the Kansas City brain trust, Nagy is garnering interest in this head coaching cycle. He's a former head coach whose stint with the Chicago Bears included one 12-win season and a 34-31 overall record in four seasons. If Las Vegas wants somebody with experience and snag somebody off the Chiefs' coaching staff, Nagy could get real consideration.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 Raiders coaching candidates (Brian Flores!) after Las Vegas fired Antonio Pierce