Raiders' Latest Coaching Move is a Blessing for Chargers
As the Los Angeles Chargers' offseason slowly ramps up, now is a good time to check in and see what some of their AFC West rivals are up to.
Watching the Kansas City Chiefs in another Super Bowl isn't fun and the Denver Broncos haven't been up to much. Having said that, there is some news coming out of the Las Vegas Raiders organization that is bound to make some Chargers fans smile.
Chargers News: Raiders Re-Sign DC Patrick Graham
On Wednesday, NFL insider Tom Pelissero revealed that the Raiders re-signed defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. The 46-year-old DC was hired to head coach Antonio Pierce's staff ahead of the 2022 season, meaning the upcoming campaign will mark his fourth in Sin City.
Not leaving Las Vegas: The #Raiders have re-signed Patrick Graham as their defensive coordinator, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 30, 2025
Graham’s contract expired and he had options, including going to Jacksonville. But Pete Carroll and Tom Brady are fans of Graham and convinced him to return. pic.twitter.com/Y7DYAO2S5a
So, why is Graham's return to the Raiders good news for the Chargers?
Well, it's because the Raiders' defense hasn't exactly performed well under the Des Plaines, IL native's guidance. They went from surrendering 19.5 points per game (9th) in 2023 to allowing a 25.5 PPG clip last season (25th). Throw in the fact that Las Vegas allowed 24.6 PPG in 2022 (26th), and the team has now had a bottom-10 scoring defense in two of his three seasons as DC.
The Chargers have benefited from Graham's tenure, going 4-2 while averaging 24.2 PPG in six meetings with the Raiders during that stretch.
It also isn't as if Graham's defensive shortcomings are a new trend.
The veteran coach made his defensive coordinator debut with the Miami Dolphins in 2019, guiding their defense to an NFL-worst 30.9 PPG allowed. He was promptly dismissed before taking on the same role with the New York Giants for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, in which they allowed 24.5 PPG (23rd) and 22.3 PPG (9th), respectively.
Although he has the occasional bright performance, the bad he's done as a DC has outweighed the good, regardless of where he's coaching.
After the Chargers, Chiefs, and Broncos boasted top-five defensive units in 2024, it's clear the Raiders are on track to have the AFC West's standings against next season.
More Los Angeles Chargers News and Rumors:
feed