Kliff Kingsbury Won't Be Raiders OC After Contract Talks Break Down, Finalizing Deal With Commanders

Kliff Kingsbury has been on the beach — both literally and figuratively — since the Arizona Cardinals bid adieu to him after the 2022 season. It sure looked like Kingsbury would be heading to Sin City to join Antonio Pierce's staff as the new offensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders. 

I mean, his best lady friend was even gearing up for the big move.

However, it has been best to expect the unexpected when it comes to the NFL, and on Saturday word came out that the Kingsbury-Raiders deal had fallen through.

Kingsbury's agent told ESPN's Adam Schefter that contract negotiations between Kingsbury and the Raiders had simply broken down.

Pour one out for the content heater that would have come from turning Veronica Bielik loose in Vegas…

This news gives UCLA head coach Chip Kelly — who was reportedly in the running for this position from the jump — an opportunity to move a few hours east for a new job and some sweet, sweet tax relief.

Other candidates the team kicked the tires on included former Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, Steelers wide receivers coach Mike Sullivan (not to be confused with Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan… duh), and former Browns head coach Alex Van Pelt.

While we don't yet know what the sticking point was that led to the Kingsbury-Raiders deal imploding, it sounds like he may have had some leverage thanks to there clearly being some other options out there for him.

That's because within about two hours of news breaking that the Raiders deal was a no-go, Schefter reported that Kingsbury was closing in on a deal to join the Washington Commanders staff as their new offensive coordinator.

The Commanders are in the process of retooling their coaching staff after telling Ron Rivera that his services were no longer needed. Earlier this week, the Commanders announced that former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will serve as the team's new head coach.

Now, it sounds like Kingsbury will be a piece of the puzzle in the nation's capital.