Bills and Raiders in Hunt for Promising Coach Davis Webb
The Buffalo Bills find themselves in search of a new head coach following Sean McDermott’s dismissal after their disappointing divisional round loss to the Denver Broncos. Among the leading candidates is Broncos quarterback coach and passing game coordinator Davis Webb, whose rising stock in NFL coaching circles has captured attention across the league. However, the Bills may face stiff competition in their pursuit, as NFL insider Adam Schefter recently suggested on “The Pat McAfee Show” that the Las Vegas Raiders could emerge as serious contenders for Webb’s services. “I think in a perfect world, the Raiders would like a young offensive mind as their head coach,” Schefter noted, highlighting Webb’s potential fit for a Raiders organization looking to build for the future.
What makes Webb particularly appealing to the Raiders is their likely selection of Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. The prospect of pairing a young, innovative offensive coordinator with a rookie franchise quarterback represents an enticing path forward for a team that has struggled mightily at the position. This quarterback development angle may give Las Vegas a compelling narrative in their pitch to Webb, who has shown remarkable ability to nurture young talent. Webb’s coaching journey, though brief, has been impressive under the mentorship of offensive guru Sean Payton in Denver. Starting as quarterbacks coach in 2023, Webb quickly distinguished himself by helping rookie Bo Nix develop into an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist, earning himself a promotion to passing game coordinator alongside his quarterback coaching duties.
The Raiders’ quarterback situation has been nothing short of disastrous since parting ways with Derek Carr, the franchise leader in passing yards and touchdowns. Their offensive production has plummeted over the past three seasons, with increasingly worse rankings in scoring offense – 23rd in 2023 (19.5 points per game), 29th in 2024 (18.2 ppg), and dead last in 2025 with a paltry 14.2 points per game. This downward spiral underscores the urgent need for quarterback stability and offensive innovation in Las Vegas. The potential selection of Mendoza represents their first first-round quarterback investment since the notorious JaMarcus Russell pick in 2007, highlighting both the magnitude and risk of the decision facing Raiders management.
Despite their offensive struggles, the Raiders do possess some promising weapons that could entice Webb. Their 2025 first-round pick running back Ashton Jeanty showed flashes of brilliance in limited action, while 2024 selection Brock Bowers has already established himself as an All-Pro tight end in just his rookie season. Wide receiver Tre Tucker also emerged as a reliable target, accumulating 696 yards during the most recent campaign. These offensive pieces suggest that the Raiders may be just a competent quarterback and innovative play-caller away from significant improvement, potentially giving Webb the opportunity to orchestrate a dramatic offensive turnaround.
For the Bills, losing McDermott marks the end of an era that brought consistent playoff appearances but ultimate postseason disappointment. While their roster remains talented, the organization appears to be seeking a fresh voice and new offensive perspective to maximize their remaining championship window with quarterback Josh Allen. Webb’s experience working with quarterbacks and his association with Sean Payton’s creative offensive system makes him an intriguing candidate to potentially unlock even more from Allen’s considerable talents. The Bills offer Webb the opportunity to take over a ready-made contender, rather than the ground-up rebuild that would likely await in Las Vegas.
As both franchises prepare their pitches for Webb, his decision could represent a fascinating case study in coaching priorities. Does he choose the established contender in Buffalo with a proven superstar quarterback, or the blank canvas of Las Vegas with a rookie signal-caller and the opportunity to build something entirely his own? For a young coach still developing his philosophy and approach, either path offers distinct advantages and challenges. Whichever team ultimately lands Webb will be getting a coach whose stock is clearly on the rise – someone who has learned from one of the game’s offensive masterminds in Sean Payton and who has already demonstrated an ability to develop young quarterback talent. In today’s NFL, where offensive innovation and quarterback development reign supreme, Webb represents exactly the type of coaching prospect teams are increasingly willing to gamble on.
