Raiders Update: Absurd Rumors Shut Down, a New Name to Watch, Coaching Search

Separating fact from fiction amid swirling speculation, this comprehensive analysis identifies names are in play for key coaching positions—revealing the strategic implications behind potential hires and what they reveal about the program’s direction.

Tom Brady | Dexter Ernest Wayne Carpenter, On SI

HENDERSON, Nev.—The Las Vegas Raiders are closing in on who will be their next head coach, and had a field-level view last night of their potential new quarterback.

Things are certainly looking up in the Raider Nation.

In our latest episode of the Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast, we address some wild rumors about the Raiders making a big splash for a new QB. We also talk about the latest on the head coaching search, and we even drop a strong name for an offensive coordinator’s job.

Tom Brady has joined the Raiders brass on the field. https://t.co/bbK8uZD8Ee

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 19, 2026

You Can Watch Below:

The rumors circulating center on whether the Raiders are considering acquiring Lamar Jackson as their next quarterback. 

Something a source close to the situation called, “Absolutely absurd.”

Write This on the Dust of Your Dash

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) speaks with quarterback coach Chandler Whitmer before the start of the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

A name is emerging among those connected to the Raiders, the NFL, and even college coaching circles that, in some way, many believe could end up tied to the new Raiders coach and his staff.

While no one has been hired as of now, we know that this name is getting a ton of attention as a rising quarterback guru and has garnered high praise for his development of Indiana Hoosier quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Chandler Whitmer, is that name.

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) an D'Angelo Ponds (5) kiss the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Per Indiana University:

With a coaching resume that includes work with some of the top names in quarterbacking at the collegiate and NFL levels, Chandler Whitmer was tabbed quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator by Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti for the 2025 season.

He helped Justin Fields (Ohio State) and Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) grow into NFL Draft picks at the collegiate level, tutored Justin Herbert (Los Angeles) to NFL success, and developed Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta) into an NFL starting quarterback.

Whitmer spent the past four seasons in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Chargers (2021-23) as an offensive quality control assistant and the Atlanta Falcons (2024) as the pass game specialist. In both roles, he worked primarily with the quarterback position.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) rushes into the end zone for a touchdown against Miami during the College Football Playoff national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Jan. 19, 2026. | Grace Hollars / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Why Whitmer Could Fit

Nov 1, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) speaks with quarterbacks/co-offensive coordinator Chandler Whitmer on the field before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

• If the Raiders ultimately hire a young offensive star as their head coach, that man will be responsible for play calling.  Hiring a voice that has a proven NFL track record and additionally has a proven trust with the team’s young, first-round franchise quarterback makes plenty of sense.

• Whitmer could hold the title and role of an offensive coordinator, without calling plays, such as Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Ben Johnson (Chicago Bears) while significantly upgrading his attention not only with that title in the NFL, but additionally with the number one overall selection, something that brings with it an immense spotlight.

True to Form

Las Vegas Raiders GM John Spytek, and minority owner Tom Brady | Darrell Craig Harris, On SI

I asked GM John Spytek if the new coach would pick his own staff, something that didn’t happen with the last two, and in both cases lent a significant impact to their failure.

He told me, “I want to turn that over to the coach. I mean, we're going to have a lot of great conversations about who, why, where. There's going to be a lot of great football conversations. But my belief has always been you give a lot of the responsibility to the head coach to hire the staff that he wants to hire. It's who reports to him and who he works with every day."

One might think Whitmer's possible move to the Raiders goes against what Spytek said.  That would be false.

Others have mentioned Whitmer, and his name has been floated as a natural fit by many.  Spytek isn’t going to force anyone on his new coach.

That is why I am clearly differentiating Whitmer as a strong possibility, because of the enormity around the game supporting it, but not calling it a definite.