New York Giants have big hole to fill as Patrick Graham takes Raiders’ job

Patrick Graham departs the New York Giants to take the Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive coordinator job on Josh McDaniels’ coaching staff

Head coach Brian Daboll have a major hole to fill on the New York Giants’ coaching staff, as defensive coordinator Patrick Graham departs to take the same role with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Prior to Graham taking the Raiders’ defensive coordinator job, first reported by Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the expectation was that Graham would return to the Giants — which general manager Joe Schoen and Daboll had hoped.

Graham is widely viewed around the NFL as a rising star, and potentially a future head coach.

In recent weeks, Graham interviewed twice for the Minnesota Vikings’ head coaching job, interviewed for the New York Giants’ vacancy, filled by Daboll, as well as for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive coordinator job, prior to being hired by the Raiders.

The New York Giants expected Graham to return as recently as Wednesday, when the Vikings hired Kevin O’Connell. That belief from the organization was clearly premature.

Graham’s defense finished this season ranked 21st in total defense, despite myriad injuries to key players such as linebacker and captain Blake Martinez, safety Jabrill Peppers, cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, and others.

Now with the Raiders, Graham reunites with McDaniel, after the two worked together on Bill Belichick’s staff with the New England Patriots from 2012 through 2015.

Because Graham made a lateral move, and was not hired as a head coach elsewhere, the New York Giants will not receive any draft pick compensation from the Raiders.