The Las Vegas Raiders just made one more addition to their staff for the 2024 season. This time, though, it's on the defensive side of the ball, where the last few hires have been opposite, as that's where most of the empty spots were.
This hire, though, means more for the future than it does for right now.
Last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars had a decent defense but nothing special. They fired their defensive coordinator last season to change things up. The Raiders have one of the best defensive coordinators in the league, Patrick Graham.
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Raiders hired Mike Caldwell, the former Jaguars DC, to be the run game coordinator and LBs coach.
The #Raiders are hiring former #Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell as run game coordinator and LBs coach, sources say. Caldwell had a bunch of suitors, including the #Eagles, #Bills and #Ravens. Heads to Vegas to join HC Antonio Pierce and DC Patrick Graham. pic.twitter.com/gl2bz9EniD
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 7, 2024
This offseason, Graham had interest from other teams in him as a head coach. Next season, if he does the same thing with the Raiders' defense in 2024, he could end up getting an HC job. This hire is a backup plan for the Raiders to have their new DC already on the team if Graham ends up leaving.
It's honestly genius.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!