Patrick Graham a possibility to remain Raiders defensive coordinator

On Monday, new Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll held his introductory press conference along with general manager John Spytek.

Many topics were discussed during the course of the presser, one of which was the topic of Carroll’s potential coaching staff.

“I’m really looking for people that have been with me and that understand the philosophy to some extent,” Carroll said. “I (also) want guys that have never been around me before so that they have to learn what we’re all about.”

With Carroll’s comments to go by, it can be deduced that he will be looking for assistant coaches who have worked with him before, as well as fresh faces who can provide the veteran coach with fresh perspectives.

That bodes well for incumbent defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who the Raiders reportedly have interest in bringing back.

Graham has never worked with Carroll before, but has spent the last three years with the Raiders organization. He would provide the organization with a level of on-field continuity, serving as a bridge between the roster and Carroll.

Graham was a candidate for the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator position, which ultimately went to Al Golden. He also received a second interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars for their head coaching position, only to lose out to Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen.

While there is a chance Graham is selected to serve as Coen’s defensive coordinator in Jacksonville, the Raiders have plenty of players on their roster who have openly vouched for him to return to Las Vegas.

“He is not a faker,” linebacker Robert Spillane said in an interview with insider Hondo Carpenter. “When he puts in the work, he is a Yale-educated, very bright, smart young man who works 18 hours a day. I know that’s not even physically possible, but when he says he’s putting in the work, he puts in the work. Which obviously garners respect from me and every teammate we have.”

Spillane is a pending free agent, as are several key defenders on the Raiders roster. The return of Graham, as well as the new presence of Carroll, would create a reason for Spillane and other impact free agents to stay in Las Vegas.

Graham would not be the only candidate for the job, however. The Raiders are also looking at another in-house candidate in defensive line coach Rob Leonard, and have also sent a request to interview former Carroll assistant and current Seattle Seahawks defensive backs coach Karl Scott.