There's a new era underway for the Las Vegas Raiders, but the leader of the Silver and Black's defense will remain the same.
Patrick Graham is re-signing with the Raiders to return for his fourth season as the club's defensive coordinator, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday.
Graham should provide some continuity for the Raiders players as new head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek settle in.
Impressively, Graham will stay put in Vegas under his third head coach.
After three seasons as a defensive coordinator elsewhere (2019 with Miami Dolphins; 2020-21 with New York Giants), Graham joined the Raiders in 2022 under head coach Josh McDaniels, stuck with Antonio Pierce last year and will be at the defensive reins again under Carroll.
During an uncertain stretch for the Raiders after a 4-13 season, Graham interviewed with the Jacksonville Jaguars for both their head coach and DC spots, and also interviewed with the Cincinnati Bengals for their defensive coordinator opening.
Graham, 46, won't be leaving Las Vegas, though.
The Raiders defense was a mixed bag in 2024, finishing 15th in yards allowed, but 25th in points.
Las Vegas was also dealing with major injuries to standouts Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins, whose returns should provide a boost. Leading tackler Robert Spillane, who has flourished in his two seasons with the Raiders, netting more than 300 tackles in that span, is headed for free agency. Perhaps having Graham back might entice him to stay put.
There's plenty of change afoot in the desert, but the Raiders' DC will be the same under the Carroll-Spytek regime.
