Tom Brady’s Las Vegas Raiders Reportedly Have Their New Head Coach
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Las Vegas Raiders may already have a favorite if they decide to move on from Pete Carroll after the recent issues following the season. Around the league, more people keep pointing to Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as a leading candidate.
The Raiders are expected to make major changes soon. Tom Brady now plays a big role in football decisions alongside general manager John Spytek. Brady has already hinted at who the team could target in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Those connections matter. Brady and Spytek both have strong ties to Michigan, just like Jesse Minter. Minter coached at Michigan before moving on to his current job with the Chargers, which only strengthens the link between him and the Raiders.
Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer showed that link while explaining how the Raiders could reshape the staff. “The next steps will be interesting, with Tom Brady likely to have a big voice, alongside GM John Spytek, on what the franchise looks for,” Breer wrote.
He also noted, “Brady and Spytek’s Michigan connection to Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, especially given the success of Mike Macdonald in Seattle (Minter and Macdonald worked in Baltimore together, and Minter succeeded Macdonald at Michigan), are worth noting”.
Minter has built a strong profile this season. He helped turn the Chargers into one of the league’s better defenses. He did that without elite talent. That work has not gone unnoticed around the NFL.
Why Jesse Minter Makes Sense For Las Vegas
Jesse Minter spent two seasons at Michigan working closely with Jim Harbaugh. That time helped shape how he thinks about the game. Even though he is a defensive coach, he understands offense well. He played wide receiver and has spent years around quarterbacks.
That matters for the Raiders. The team is likely headed toward the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which usually means drafting a young quarterback. Teams often hesitate to hire defensive coaches in that situation, but Minter stands out because of his offensive background.
Las Vegas also gives a new coach room to build. The Raiders have salary cap space and a chance to rebuild quickly. A young coach fits that direction. Minter brings fresh ideas and recent success, which makes him appealing.
Tom Brady and GM John Spytek know his background. They have seen a similar path work before. Mike Macdonald followed a comparable route and found success in Seattle. Minter also worked with Macdonald in Baltimore and later replaced him at Michigan, a connection NFL insider Albert Breer mentioned.
The Raiders still face a tough decision. Some around the league believe an offensive head coach makes more sense. The team tried that approach before with Jon Gruden and Josh McDaniels, and neither worked out.
This time, Las Vegas may go in a different direction. A younger coach. A fresh start. Minter fits that idea. If the Raiders move on from Pete Carroll, many league sources expect Minter to be near the top of their list.
