Former Broncos coach becomes Raiders’ 7th coaching candidate
The Raiders have added a seventh candidate to their coaching search.
The team requested permission to interview Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph as it looks for Antonio Pierce’s replacement, an NFL source confirmed Monday.
Denver’s season ended Sunday with a 31-7 loss at Buffalo. Joseph and the Raiders still must wait until the end of the divisional round of the playoffs this weekend to conduct an in-person interview, according to league rules.
Joseph, 52, has been the Broncos’ defensive coordinator for two seasons. Denver gave up the third-fewest points in the NFL this season and ranked first in sacks. The team’s defensive performance allowed it to reach the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50 in 2016.
Joseph had an 11-21 record as Denver’s coach in 2017 and 2018. He also has been a defensive coordinator with the Dolphins and Cardinals.
The Raiders’ other known coaching candidates are Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and former Jets coach Robert Saleh.
The team conducted virtual interviews with Johnson, Glenn and Spagnuolo on Friday. Carroll was scheduled to talk to the Raiders in-person Monday.
The 73-year-old is considered one of the favorites for the job, along with Johnson. Saleh is expected to talk to the Raiders on Thursday, while Monken and Joseph do not have interview times set. Monken is only available for virtual interviews this week as he prepares for his team’s divisional round meeting with the Bills on Sunday.
The Brady factor
It was initially believed that Johnson, who has multiple suitors after leading the NFL’s highest-scoring offense this season, would decline the team’s interview request. Other openings, such as the Bears and Jaguars, have better quarterback situations than the Raiders.
The presence of new minority owner Tom Brady is believed to have swayed Johnson into talking with the team. Brady is expected to have a prominent voice in the Raiders’ football operations and is helping owner Mark Davis conduct the team’s search for a coach and general manager.
In an interesting twist, Brady’s and Johnson’s paths figure to cross at some point this week. Brady, Fox’s lead NFL analyst, will be on the call for the Lions’ divisional round playoff game with the Commanders on Saturday.
Cowboys job opens
The Raiders got extra competition for Johnson and their other coaching candidates Monday.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced in a statement the team was parting ways with coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract expires this month. That means six teams — the Bears, Cowboys, Jaguars, Jets, Raiders and Saints — are looking for a coach. The Patriots filled their vacancy by hiring former Titans coach Mike Vrabel on Sunday.
It remains to be seen how Dallas and McCarthy will affect the coaching market.
The Cowboys could join Chicago and Jacksonville as suitors for Johnson. But the Bears also requested to speak with McCarthy about their opening last week, so he could emerge as a candidate in their search.
The Raiders have yet to request permission to interview general manager candidates. They’re one of three teams looking for a front office leader, along with the Jets and Titans, after firing Tom Telesco on Thursday.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com . Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.
