On Friday, the Las Vegas Raiders were optimistic that Kliff Kingsbury would join their ranks as offensive coordinator for the 2024 season.
However, their hopes were dashed when Kingsbury withdrew from contract negotiations the following day, prompting the Raiders to resume their search for a play-caller.
Following the appointment of Antonio Pierce as full-time head coach, Las Vegas wasted no time in seeking out candidates for the offensive coordinator role. Interviews were conducted with Kingsbury, UCLA head coach Chip Kelly, former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, and San Francisco 49ers assistant coach Klint Kubiak.
By Friday, reports indicated that Kingsbury had reached an agreement to become the Raiders’ offensive coordinator. Speculation even arose about Las Vegas potentially trading up for the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to pair Kingsbury with USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams once again.
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However, on Saturday morning, it emerged that Kingsbury had not signed his contract with Las Vegas, prompting the team to explore other options. Ultimately, Getsy was officially hired as the Raiders’ offensive coordinator, while Kingsbury accepted the same position with the Washington Commanders.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shed light on the circumstances surrounding Kingsbury’s departure from Las Vegas. Allegedly, the Raiders’ reluctance to extend his contract to a third year prompted Kingsbury to keep his options open. This hesitation from Las Vegas provided an opportunity for the Commanders to swoop in and secure his services.
The Raiders’ decision not to add another year to Kingsbury’s contract stems from financial considerations, as owner Mark Davis is still honoring contracts for previous coaches and front-office personnel. With their top choices no longer available, Las Vegas quickly pivoted to Getsy, despite concerns about the offensive struggles of his previous team, the Chicago Bears.
Despite Getsy’s past challenges, the Raiders believe that the Bears’ offensive shortcomings were more a result of issues with quarterback Justin Fields and overall talent rather than Getsy’s coaching abilities.
