It comes as no surprise the Oakland Raiders have interest in a number of Green Bay Packers coaches.
The rumors began before Reggie McKenzie officially took over as the Raiders general manager and while Hue Jackson was still head coach.
Winston Moss, Green Bay’s assistant head coach / linebackers coach, was first to be named as a potential Jackson replacement. Those rumors began shortly after the season concluded and persist today.
But as talk continues and McKenzie gets settled into Alameda’s executive wing the list of Packers coaches drawing the Raiders interest is growing ever longer.
To believe the talk, you would have to believe the Raiders turned to the coaching roster in the Packers media guide and put a check mark next to nearly head shot on the page–just the guys they were interested in.
It’s also hard to discredit the rumors. McKenzie boldly stated he wanted to bring in his guy to be the coach during his introductory press conference last week.
And there are far more jobs open than just the head coach.
When all the dust settles, it could be a total Packer overhaul in Oakland. Then again, the position most likely to lure somebody from a championship contender and into a rebuild is the head coaching job. Why else leave a good thing?
Further, would Green Bay even grant the Raiders request to interview a candidate for a parallel position?
So, the focus will remain on replacing Jackson.
All told, there are four names currently on Green Bays staff that are strong contenders to become the next Raiders head coach.
In addition to Moss, the Raiders are very interested in speaking with Green Bay defensive coordinator Dom Capers, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin and quarterbacks coach Tom Clements.
Clements is believed to be the longest shot to land the head coaching job, though he eventually be considered for a coordinator position.
As it stands now, no movement can be made until after the Packers season has concluded.
In the interim, McKenzie and the Raiders are doing their due diligence and interviewing other candidates including former Miami Dolphins interim head coach Todd Bowles.
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I hope mckenzie knows what he is doing because focusing on hiring some one from the packers defensive side of the ball does not look all that wise at this point. As high flying as the packers & saints were their defense was definitely their weakness. so far I have not heard one name I like better than Hue.. unless Chucky is coming back. that would right the last mega Raider coaching Blunder. We would have 2 or 3 more superbowls at this point if we kept Chucky.
Good Luck Reggie, Make sure your “own guy” is the right one!