Amidst Changes Las Vegas Raiders Keeping Patrick Graham
Things are always changing with the team. They have had three new head coaches and three new general managers in as many years. Generally when there is a regime change the organization cleans house. Out with the old and in with the new. But evidently that won’t be the case this time. Amidst all of the their changes the Las Vegas Raiders are keeping defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. He has survived all three of the head coach/gm changes. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday that Patrick Graham is re-signing with the Raiders to return for his fourth season as the club’s defensive coordinator.
It was former head coach Josh McDaniels who brought Graham to the Raiders. They had worked together previously for the New England Patriots from 2012 – 2015. McDaniels has recently returned to the Patriots as their offensive coordinator. McDaniels hired Graham on February 4, 2022 to be the Raiders defensive coordinator. And he has remained there despite all the upheaval. He was retained by former head coach Antonio Pierce and now with new head coach Pete Carroll.
Graham started his coaching career in 2002 at the college level and then progressed to the professional level in 2009 with the New England Patriots. Former Patriots coach Pepper Johnson noticed that Graham wanted to learn. Perhaps it’s blasphemous, but in some ways, he reminded Johnson of Belichick, in the way his brain worked, the analytical bent and the willingness to innovate.
Players have nicknamed him the “Black Picasso” because of the creative plays he designs. Other teams have had the opportunity to work with the “artist” as he has worked for the Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants. Keeping Graham provides some continuity for the Raiders players as they adjust to the new head coach and general manager John Spytek.
Amidst Changes Las Vegas Raiders Keeping Patrick Graham
The Raiders defense was lackluster in 2024 as they finished 15th in in yards allowed, and 25th in points. But the defense also dealt with a lot of injuries including superstar defensive end Maxx Crosby. But with Graham staying and injured players coming back things should improve.
And speaking of Crosby, he is ecstatic that Pete Carroll will be taking up the head coaching reins. He appeared on Sirius XM NFL Radio on January 29:
“It’s exciting,” Crosby said of the Raiders’ new coaching hire. “I think the number one thing you look at is just energy. We talked about it a few times. Competition as well. As a competitor, as somebody who brings energy all the time and lives off that and expects it from others, I love somebody with that type of mentality. So he’s a winner. He’s done it his whole career. And it’s just exciting to see what’s going to come soon.”
Maybe things will finally get back on track for the Raiders.
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