The Raiders are continuing to make additions to Antonio Pierce‘s staff. Vegas is set to hire Mike Caldwell as linebackers coach, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
As is the case with a number of other staffers in similar situations, Caldwell will also hold the title of run game coordinator. The move marks a quick rebound for him, after his two-year run as defensive coordinator of the Jaguars came to an end. Caldwell and a number of defensive staffers were let go at the end of the campaign, one in which Jacksonville fell short of a playoff spot.
The Jaguars posted middling numbers in several defensive categories in 2023, but the team did rank ninth in rushing yards allowed. Caldwell will look to duplicate that success with the Raiders as he quickly moves to a new role on an NFL staff. The 52-year-old previously served as LBs coach with the Eagles, Cardinals, Jets and Buccaneers before getting his first coordinator gig in Jacksonville.
As Garafolo and KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson note, the Ravens were among the teams which showed interest in Caldwell for their linebackers coach vacancy. The same is true of the Eagles and Bills, but Caldwell will instead join a Raiders staff which still includes defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. The latter was a head-coaching candidate, but with all eight vacancies filled on that front, any move would be a lateral one. The Raiders made it clear early in the hiring cycle that they would block any Graham coordinator interviews.
Vegas saw a notable turnaround on defense after Pierce took over midseason, finishing ninth in points allowed. The team ranked just 21st against the run, though. Improvement in that department will be an offseason goal. Caldwell will look to rebuild his coordinator stock while playing a key role on the Raiders’ new-look staff.
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