The Raiders still don’t have a defensive coordinator locked up. They’re certainly trying to nail down a replacement for Jason Tarver, but aren’t there yet.
They might be getting close. We'll have to wait and see.
The team has reportedly offered University of Louisville defensive coordinator Todd Grantham a two-year contract to become its next DC. NFL Network first reported the extended offer. As of 1 p.m. on Wednesday, there was no agreement to terms of a deal.
Prying Grantham away from the college ranks might not come cheap. He’s scheduled to make nearly $1 million next season, which is high for a coordinator at the college level.
The Raiders interviewed Grantham on Monday.
Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a press conference introducing Jack Del Rio that his new head coach will have resources to get the assistants he wants. Grantham could test that statement, depending on the content of the contract offer.
Grantham signed a five-year, fully-guaranteed contract with the Cardinals before the 2014 campaign, which offers great security. He was the defensive coordinator at the University of Georgia for three years before Louisville snatched him up.
Grantham has extensive NFL experience, including a stretch as Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator from 2005-07. He was also defensive line coach of the Indianapolis Colts (1999-2001), Houston Texans (2002-04) and Dallas Cowboys (2008-09).
While the Raiders have ran a 4-3 base defense in the recent past – that’s also been Del Rio’s defensive preference, Grantham has run a 3-4 base defense in his recent college stints and as Cleveland DC.
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