HENDERSON, Nev.--Several weeks ago, on my daily podcast, I reported that an NFL franchise had yet to ask the Las Vegas Raiders for permission to interview Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator extraordinaire Patrick Graham.
I said, "It is coming, and they have legitimate interest."
That team, when I said it first, had not yet moved on from their head coach.
A source connected to the organization contacted me to talk about Patrick Graham and ask my thoughts on multiple subjects about him.
This morning, in my podcast, I said I expected one more team to interview Raiders DC Patrick Graham for an HC job that had yet to request. That team did so this afternoon, the Seattle Seahawks.
— Hondo Carpenter (@HondoCarpenter) January 16, 2024
Graham had his first interview with the Seahawks, and according to the same source, "Was terrific, and that guy's football mind is off the charts."
With little fanfare last night, information dropped that Graham will get his second interview with the Seahawks on Tuesday.
There are several viable candidates for the job, but I can assure you he is a 100% legitimate candidate.
Feels like Raider Nation is not paying much attention to this and should. https://t.co/Oau5X4TWu3
— Hondo Carpenter (@HondoCarpenter) January 22, 2024
Graham was let loose when Antonio Pierce took over the Silver and Black, and all Graham did was turn his merry band of misfits into the best defense in the National Football League for the time Pierce was the head coach.
Graham's ability is no secret in the National Football League, and if he is unable to land a head coaching job during this offseason cycle, is expected to return to Las Vegas to command his merry band of misfits in 2024.
Graham discussed how he handles his players' human side: "The human side to me is they're professional athletes. The Raiders have done a good job of getting the right people in here to be Raiders. You only get 17 opportunities guaranteed and it's a game we love to play, love the coach. I just can't imagine going out on the field and not playing it to your fullest and coaching it to your fullest, whether we're in our meetings getting ready right now, game planning. We owe that to the players; the players owe the game to play hard. It never crosses my mind any team I've been a part of that we're not going to play to our fullest. Whatever is at stake or what's not at stake, it's the game of football. I mean, the unique thing about football is this; when you're done, you're done. You can go play pickup basketball, people play pickup hockey, you can play baseball. You can't play football. When I played my last football game, that was it. You can say flag football, but it's not the same. I know our guys understand that. They cherish this game. This is the best team sport in my opinion. I'm sure the players would echo that, I'm sure the coaches will echo that. And the game provides so much for us, whether it's a chance to travel the world, to get the money we make, all that stuff like that. The fun we have, the brotherhood; you owe the game. So, I mean, I don't think I need to bring it up to them because I think that's what everybody signs up for when they play this sport. It's beautiful."
From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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