Raiders, Dolphins get bad news after latest Kevin Stefanski rumor from Tom Pelissero

As the NFL offseason progresses, the coaching carousel continues to turn as franchises look to fill their head coaching vacancies with the hope of finding the right leader to guide their team to success. One of the most talked-about candidates in this year’s coaching search is Kevin Stefanski, the offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings. Stefanski has been praised for his work with Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins and has been credited with helping to develop the team’s potent offensive attack.

On Friday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on the most likely landing spots for Stefanski, and to the surprise of many, the Las Vegas Raiders and Miami Dolphins were not among the teams Pelissero named. This news came as a shock to many fans and analysts who had pegged these two teams as potential destinations for Stefanski, given their need for a head coach and Stefanski’s reputation as a rising star in the coaching ranks.

The Las Vegas Raiders, who recently moved from Oakland to Las Vegas, are in search of a new head coach after parting ways with Jon Gruden midseason. Gruden’s departure came amid controversy surrounding offensive emails he had sent years prior, leaving the team in need of a fresh start. Many believed that Stefanski would be an ideal candidate for the Raiders job, given his offensive prowess and ability to develop young quarterbacks. However, Pelissero’s report indicates that the Raiders may be looking in a different direction for their next head coach.

Similarly, the Miami Dolphins are also in the market for a new head coach after firing Brian Flores following a disappointing season. Flores, who had been with the team for three seasons, was let go despite leading the Dolphins to a 9-8 record in 2021. Many expected Stefanski to be a top candidate for the Dolphins job, as Miami is in need of an offensive-minded coach to help develop quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. However, Pelissero’s report suggests that the Dolphins may have other plans in mind for their coaching search.

So where does this leave Kevin Stefanski in his quest for a head coaching job? Despite the absence of the Raiders and Dolphins on Pelissero’s list of likely landing spots, there are still several teams in need of a head coach who could be interested in Stefanski’s services. One such team is the Denver Broncos, who are also in search of a new head coach after firing Vic Fangio following a disappointing season. The Broncos have a talented roster on both sides of the ball and could benefit from Stefanski’s offensive expertise.

Another potential landing spot for Stefanski could be the Chicago Bears, who recently fired head coach Matt Nagy after a disappointing season. The Bears have a young quarterback in Justin Fields who could benefit from Stefanski’s tutelage, and Stefanski’s offensive scheme could help unlock the potential of Chicago’s talented skill position players. Additionally, the Bears have a strong defense that could complement Stefanski’s offensive philosophy.

One wildcard team that could be in the mix for Stefanski is the New York Giants, who recently fired head coach Joe Judge after two seasons. The Giants have struggled in recent years and are in need of a fresh start, and Stefanski could be the coach to provide that spark. With a talented roster that includes playmakers like Saquon Barkley and Kenny Golladay, the Giants could be an attractive destination for Stefanski as he looks to take the next step in his coaching career.

Despite the absence of the Raiders and Dolphins on Pelissero’s list of likely landing spots for Kevin Stefanski, there are still several teams that could be interested in hiring the talented offensive coordinator. Stefanski has been widely praised for his work with the Vikings and has garnered interest from multiple teams in need of a head coach. As the coaching search continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see where Stefanski ultimately lands and how he can help lead his new team to success.

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Source: Sporting News