Patrick Graham has earned another head coaching interview. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Seahawks have requested an interview with the Raiders defensive coordinator.
[RELATED: Seahawks Request HC Interview With Giants OC Mike Kafka]
The veteran coach worked his way up through the Patriots coaching staff, and following stints with the Giants and Packers, he was named the Dolphins defensive coordinator in 2019. He was recruited to the Giants by Joe Judge to serve in the same coordinator role (plus the title of assistant head coach) in 2020, and despite the change to Brian Daboll, Graham was expected to stick in New York in 2022.
Instead, he joined Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas, where he’s spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator. Graham has been credited with an improved defense in 2023. The group finished the season ninth in points allowed, and the defense finished top-12 in most passing defense categories. Thanks to the Raiders’ performance, Graham also got an interview for the Chargers head coaching job.
The Seahawks list of head coaching candidates continues to grow. We learned earlier tonight that the team was eyeing Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, and the two newest candidates join five other potential names:
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
- Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Rumored candidate
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interview requested
- Frank Smith, offensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interview requested
Why on earth would you request an interview for your HC position with a DC from a 2-15 team that allowed 22.6 points a game and if it wasn’t for just 9 points by the Bucs in the last game of the season that number would be WAY higher? C’Mon Man!