After interviewing 15 candidates for their head coaching vacancy, the Las Vegas Raiders, with new minority owner Tom Brady, are finally zeroing in on their top choices. They’re finally starting to trim that list down, as they call in Josh Allen’s coach for a second interview.

“Bills’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady is in Las Vegas for a second head coaching interview with the Raiders,” NFL insider Adam Schefter wrote on X.

While Joe Brady is a hot commodity, having interviewed with the Bills, Cardinals, Ravens, and Dolphins, his path is narrowing. With Baltimore and Miami having already made their hires, the Raiders’ interest represents one of his most promising opportunities.

Arizona remains in play, but that race is crowded. According to ESPN, former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, Rams OC Mike LaFleur, and Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile are viewed as the leading names there. A promotion in Buffalo also feels unlikely, with three Bills candidates carrying strong personal ties to Josh Allen.

This makes Las Vegas a prime destination for Brady. He is the third candidate to earn a second interview, joining Panthers DC Ejiro Evero and Minter. With Minter now off the board, the focus has narrowed. Right now, it’s Brady and Evero.

Joe Brady’s appeal is clear: he took over as the Bills’ offensive coordinator midway through the 2023 season after Ken Dorsey’s firing. At the time, Buffalo didn’t even have a winning record. With Brady calling plays, the Bills finished the regular season 6–1 and made it into January.

Over the past two seasons, Buffalo has finished top five in the NFL in points per game both years. Allen won MVP last season. James Cook emerged as the league’s most productive back, piling up 1,621 rushing yards. Since Brady took over as OC, the Bills are 31–10 in the regular season.

For a Raiders offense that finished last in points and yards per game, Brady could do wonders. And with Klint Kubiak looking more and more unlikely, Brady should definitely be prioritized.

Klint Kubiak to the Raiders is unlikely to happen

Tom Brady didn’t exactly hide where his interest was drifting. While breaking down the NFC Championship Game, he wasn’t too subtle about his intentions.

“I love this opening script from Klint Kubiak,” Brady said during the broadcast of the Seahawks–Rams matchup.

That line carried weight, especially given what’s been circulating behind the scenes. Earlier, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Klint Kubiak is viewed as a “prime candidate” to become the next head coach of the Raiders after a strong first interview.

In his first season as offensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks, Kubiak has overseen an offense that ranks third in points per game and seventh in total yards. That production has stood out, even on a team where the defense often grabs the headlines.

Although Kubiak is a popular candidate, prying him away from Seattle won’t be simple. According to EssentiallySports reporter Tony Pauline, Seattle is working aggressively to keep him in place.

“Multiple sources tell me that the Seahawks are putting on a full-court press to keep Kubiak on staff. It’s an interesting dynamic that could take a while to play out, depending on whether or not the Seahawks’ season continues past today,” Pauline wrote.

As it turns out, Seattle’s season did continue. The Seahawks knocked off the Rams and earned a Super Bowl berth, a result that only strengthens their case to keep Kubiak around. With the team trending upward and playing for a title, it’s easy to see why Seattle would go to great lengths to maintain continuity on offense. It’s also easy to see why Kubiak might be willing to listen.

Interest in him has been widespread. Reports have linked Kubiak to the Arizona Cardinals, the New York Giants, the Baltimore Ravens, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Raiders. Most of those jobs have since been filled, and Arizona appears to be leaning in a different direction.

That leaves a narrowing picture. Raiders or Seahawks. And after Pauline’s update, staying put suddenly feels like the more likely outcome.