As Klint Kubiak prepares to take over as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, one of his most critical decisions will be selecting a defensive coordinator. Kubiak, who is expected to be formally announced after coaching the Seattle Seahawks offense in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots on Sunday, will likely call his own plays on offense, giving his defensive coordinator significant autonomy.

Here are five candidates who could fill that role:

Aden Durde

Durde, the Seahawks defensive coordinator, would be a logical choice given his success with Seattle’s top-tier defense. Though he doesn’t call plays, he’s seen as a rising star. The catch: the Seahawks could block a lateral move, though a promotion to play-caller might change the calculus.

Jim Schwartz

Schwartz, the former Browns defensive coordinator, resigned Friday after being a finalist for Cleveland’s head coaching job. He’s a proven play-caller with success across multiple organizations, but his availability for next season isn’t guaranteed.

Karl Scott

Seahawks defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Scott has worked with Kubiak in Seattle and previously with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021. He could help import Seattle’s defensive philosophy if Durde isn’t available.

Joe Woods

Woods is already in the Raiders building as defensive passing game coordinator. He has been a defensive coordinator for the Broncos, Browns, and Saints, and worked with Kubiak in New Orleans in 2024. He also coached under Kubiak’s father, Gary, on Denver’s Super Bowl-winning team in 2015.

George Edwards

Edwards, the Buccaneers defensive passing game coordinator, has ties to Raiders general manager John Spytek from their time together in Tampa Bay. He was also the Vikings’ defensive coordinator from 2014 to 2019, overlapping with Kubiak’s tenure as quarterbacks coach.