Raiders must ask the Los Angeles Chargers for permission to interview Gus Bradley for the position of defensive coordinator, a person with knowledge of the confirmed situation,
Bradley has been the Chargers’ defensive coordinator since 2017, but the resignation of Chargers coach Anthony Lynn on Monday could open the door to a Gruden / Bradley meeting in Las Vegas. Gruden, as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006, hired Bradley from the state of North Dakota to be his linebacker coach.
The Chargers were 10th this year in allowed defensive yards (343.3) and are among the top 10 in that category for three consecutive seasons under Bradley. They were 15th in total yards in 2017.
The issue of the Chargers this year was the points allowed. They were in 23rd place with 26.6 points per game. However, they were 10th in this category in 2018 with 20.6 points and 14th in 2018 with 21.1. Both totals would represent a significant upgrade from the 29.9 points that the Raiders earned this year.
After serving as coach of the Tampa Bay linebackers for two seasons, Bradley moved to Seattle as the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator from 2009 to 2012 and helped build the Legion of Boom defenses that helped the Seahawks reach two Super Bowls and win the Super Bowl XLVIII.
A high-energy person and passionate communicator and teacher, Bradley also has a keen eye for identifying and developing talent.
In Seattle, Bradley helped transform Kam Chancellor (fifth round draft pick) KJ Wright (fourth round), Bobby Wagner (second round) and Richard Sherman (fifth round) into defensive stars. In addition, Earl Thomas and Bruce Irvin were chosen in the first round during Bradley’s stay in Seattle.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at [email protected] @VinnyBonsignore on twitter.