HENDERSON, Nev. — The head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, Pete Carroll, has decided to keep Patrick Graham as their defensive coordinator, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity since the team has yet to formally confirm the news.

During his introductory press conference earlier this week, Carroll expressed his intention to retain some members of the previous coaching staff. Graham, aged 46, has been part of the Raiders’ organization since the 2022 season.

In terms of performance, the Raiders reached a commendable ninth place in scoring defense for 2023, allowing an average of 19.5 points per game. However, this figure increased significantly this season with the team permitting an average of 25.5 points, placing them in a tie with the Cincinnati Bengals for 25th. The team’s struggles can in part be attributed to multiple injuries that sidelined around half of their starting defensive lineup, notable among them being key players Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins. Despite these setbacks, the Raiders showcased their resilience by managing to restrict opponents to under 20 points during four of their last five games.

In addition to negotiations regarding defensive coordination, Carroll is also actively looking to fill the role of offensive coordinator. Reports indicate that Darrell Bevell, who served in the same capacity under Carroll with the Seattle Seahawks from 2011 to 2017, has interviewed for the position, as per sources from the NFL Network.