In a sudden twist, Kliff Kingsbury will not be headed to Las Vegas. It was reported the former Arizona Cardinals HC was set to become the next Raiders offensive coordinator, but things changed over the weekend leading to two new hires. Kingsbury swiftly found a new home with the Washington Commanders as their new OC, while the Raiders moved quickly to hire Luke Getsy for the same role.
The reported stumbling block during negotiations concerned the length of the proposed contract. While Kingsbury sought a three-year deal, the Raiders were only willing to offer a two-year contract. With no middle ground reached, both parties decided to part ways, sending shockwaves through the NFL coaching carousel.
Amidst the fallout, Kingsbury quickly became a hot commodity on the coaching market, with the Commanders emerging as the frontrunners for his services. The Commanders are coming off an up-and-down offensive campaign which saw second-year QB Sam Howell finish 12th in passing yards and 15th in touchdowns. Though, the offense as a whole finished just 25th in points per game under first-year OC Eric Bieniemy. A change was expected after the team hired Dan Quinn as head coach late last week.
After swift negotiations, Kingsbury and the Commanders reached an agreement, paving the way for his appointment as the team’s offensive coordinator. Kingsbury brings an up-tempo offense to a Washington team that sits in an enviable position. The Commanders boast a talented receiving corps led by 2022 Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin. And, with the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft in hand, Washington will be able to select one of the top QB prospects available. Perhaps, a trade up to No. 1 for a chance to reunite Kingsbury with USC hurler Caleb Williams is in the cards?
Meanwhile, the Raiders found themselves in a hole following Kingsbury’s decision. Acting swiftly, they turned their attention to Getsy, who served as the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears last season. The Raiders interviewed Getsy twice during their search, and wasted no time bringing him on after talks with Kingsbury fell through.
Getsy’s arrival in Las Vegas has sparked speculation regarding the team’s quarterback situation. The Raiders have been linked to a few quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL Draft, but aren’t in an advantageous position holding the No. 13 pick. Instead, a trade for a potential starter could be Vegas’ best course of action. And, it just so happens Getsy worked closely with dual threat QB Justin Fields last season. Don’t be surprised if Fields ends up in Vegas.
As the dust settles on the tumultuous coaching carousel, both the Raiders and Kingsbury find themselves charting new paths. While Kingsbury sets his sights on rejuvenating the Commanders’ offense, the Raiders pivot towards a fresh start under the guidance of Getsy. A wild 24 hours led to two teams landing new play callers, and serves as a reminder that nobody can predict the NFL offseason.
