Seahawks are scheduling five candidates for second HC interviews.
Many first interviews have taken place in Seattle’s first head coaching search since 2010, and more are on the horizon.
But a list of applicants who would be given another chance has also surfaced.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Five candidates for head coach are being scheduled for second interviews by Seattle:
Ejiro Evero of the Panthers, Patrick Graham of the Raiders, Mike Kafka of the Giants, Raheem Morris of the Rams, and Dan Quinn of the Cowboys.
However, Pelissero notes that the list will probably expand over time.
All those employees have already had one meeting with the Seahawks.
With his connections to the organization, the latter in particular was instantly mentioned as a top choice to succeed Pete Carroll.
Quinn was the defensive coordinator for Seattle from 2013 to 2014. Prior to that, he was the defensive line coach for the team from 2009 to 2010.
He has had success in the regular season while playing for the Cowboys, and despite Dallas’ disappointing postseason
performance, he is still a strong candidate to play for the Seahawks, at the very least.
Quinn is joined by Evero, Graham, and Morris in having experience on the defensive end of the ball.
Evero had high expectations going into the 2023 season because of his success with the Broncos, just as a lot of other Panthers staff members.
Even though Carolina’s offensive was a complete mess, Evero’s team performed admirably in several areas and took fourth place overall.
Because of this, other organizations have expressed interest in him, including the Panthers.
Morris, like Quinn, has NFL head coaching experience. The former took over after the latter was fired by the Falcons, and he
also spent three seasons in charge of the Buccaneers.
Morris has rebuilt his stock to an extent during his run with the Rams’ defense. He has been connected to four openings other than Seattle’s so far.
Graham’s NFL coaching career dates back to 2009, and he has worked as a DC with the Dolphins, Giants and Raiders.
Las Vegas experienced a dramatic defensive turnaround after Antonio Pierce was promoted to interim head coach, and
with him now having been given the position on a full-time basis, Graham could very well be on the way out.
The 44-year-old held the title of assistant head coach during his time in New York, but he has never led a staff at the college or NFL levels.
As the only staffer with a background on the offensive side of the ball, Kafka’s inclusion on the list is notable.
He was reported to be in danger of losing his position during the 2023 season, one in which little went according to plan for the Giants.
Kafka has survived, however, and he will remain in New York for 2024 unless his second straight year receiving HC interest lands him an opportunity elsewhere.
Today’s news does not include a first interview being arranged with former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.
That is signficant given the connections made between he and the Seahawks in recent days.
Vrabel has interviewed with the Falcons and Chargers, so the Seahawks could have competition for his services if they decide to meet with him.
In-person interviews with coaches currently on NFL staffs cannot take place until after the divisional round is completed.
Given that rule, and the volume of staffers reciving an extended look, Seattle’s search will likely continue for some time.
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