2021 Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator candidates

Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden will be in the market for a new defensive coordinator in January after the firing of Paul Guenther from the role on Sunday night after a 44-27 home loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Several candidates will emerge.

Let’s take a look at some of the names who may interest Gruden, presented in alphabetical order:

Joe Barry:
He is the linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Rams and he worked five seasons as linebackers coach under Gruden for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is also the son-in-law of Raiders’ interim defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. So, there’s strong connections here.

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Gus Bradley:
He is the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers and if the staff is fired, he will be available. Bradley worked three seasons under Gruden in Tampa Bay and he has a lot of experience.

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Rod Marinelli:
The interim coordinator could keep the job if the Raiders finish well. He and Gruden are close and he has a ton of experience.

Raheem Morris:
The Atlanta Falcons’ interim head coach will likely be a favorite if he isn’t retained or doesn’t get another head-coaching job. He worked with Gruden in Tampa Bay and they are close.

Matt Patricia:
He was a bust as a head coach with the Detroit Lions, but Gruden might be intrigued by Patricia’s New England Patriots’ roots.

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Wade Phillips:
He has a great track record of fixing defenses and is one of the coaches on this list, who would likely make the Raiders a 3-4 defense. He coached Cory Littleton and Lamarcus Joyner with the Rams and he reportedly is interested in the Raiders’ gig.

Dan Quinn:
The former Atlanta head coach will be popular this offseason and he could be a nice fit.

Todd Wash:
He is the defensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars. If the staff is fired, he may get interest from Gruden as he was on Gruden’s staff in Tampa Bay.