Raiders To Interview Seahawks' Jeff Howard For DC

Howard has 13 years of NFL coaching experience and is seeking his first coordinator role.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Las Vegas Raiders will interview Seahawks safeties coach Jeff Howard on Saturday for their open defensive coordinator position. Howard has an extensive coaching background, including stints with the Vikings, Browns, and Chargers before joining the Seahawks' staff two years ago.

Why it matters

The Raiders are looking to rebuild their defense under new head coach Klint Kubiak, who previously worked with Howard in Minnesota. Howard's interview is part of the team's search to find the right coordinator to lead their defensive turnaround.

The details

Following a playing career at Eastern New Mexico, Howard started his coaching career at the high school level in Texas before moving to the college ranks at Texas Tech. He then joined the NFL, working as an assistant coach with the Vikings, Browns, and Chargers before landing with the Seahawks as their safeties coach the past two seasons. In Seattle, he has helped develop a talented group of safeties including Coby Bryant, Julian Love, and rookie Nick Emmanwori.

  • Jeff Howard will interview with the Raiders on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
  • Howard previously coached with new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak for one season in Minnesota in 2019.

The players

Jeff Howard

Seahawks safeties coach who has 13 years of NFL coaching experience and is seeking his first defensive coordinator role.

Klint Kubiak

New head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, who previously worked with Howard in Minnesota.

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What they’re saying

“After interviewing Aubrey Pleasant today, the Raiders will continue the search for their new defensive coordinator tomorrow.”

— Tom Pelissero, NFL Network reporter (NFL Network)

What’s next

If hired, Howard would be reunited with new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, who he previously coached with in Minnesota. The Raiders are expected to continue interviewing other candidates for the defensive coordinator position in the coming days.

The takeaway

The Raiders are casting a wide net in their search for a new defensive coordinator, looking to find the right leader to help turn around their struggling defense. Jeff Howard's extensive NFL coaching experience and previous work with Klint Kubiak make him an intriguing candidate for the job.