Raiders Set To Name Klint Kubiak New Head Coach After Super Bowl

The Las Vegas Raiders appear poised to usher in a new era, with sources across the NFL landscape reporting that Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is set to become the franchise’s next head coach. While the ink isn’t dry just yet—league rules prevent any formal announcement until after Super Bowl 60 wraps up on February 9, 2026—the signs are all pointing toward Kubiak trading in his Seahawks blue for the iconic Silver and Black.

Kubiak, just 38 years old, has rapidly built a reputation as one of the NFL’s brightest young offensive minds. This past season, he orchestrated a Seahawks offense that soared to new heights, finishing third in the league in points per game (28.4) and eighth in total yards (351.4) as Seattle clinched the NFC’s top seed with a 14-3 record. It’s no wonder the Raiders, desperate for a spark after three straight seasons of offensive struggles, zeroed in on him as their top target.

The road to this moment has been anything but straightforward. The Raiders’ coaching search, now in its fourth week, was exhaustive—15 candidates interviewed, ranging from seasoned veterans to up-and-coming coordinators. In the end, the race narrowed to Kubiak and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. But after a crucial round of meetings on February 1, including a Friday night dinner with owner Mark Davis and a two-hour interview with minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek, Kubiak emerged as the clear favorite.

It wasn’t just the Raiders making their pitch. The Seattle front office reportedly made a strong push for Kubiak to stick around, hoping to maintain stability as the team prepares for the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals also vied for his services, the only other NFL team still searching for a head coach heading into February. Ultimately, the chance to lead a storied franchise like the Raiders—and the opportunity to work with the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft—proved too tempting to pass up.

That top pick is expected to be Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, a prospect already capturing the imagination of Raiders fans and league insiders alike. The pairing of a young, innovative head coach with a potential franchise quarterback is the kind of storyline that can change a team’s fortunes overnight—or at least, that’s the hope in Las Vegas. As one report put it, "The prospect of working for Brady and Spytek, and the attractiveness of the Raiders holding the first pick in the NFL draft, which will almost certainly be used to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, were compelling reasons for Kubiak to decide to take the Raiders job."

For Kubiak, football runs in the family. He’s the son of Gary Kubiak, a Super Bowl-winning head coach whose influence and connections run deep in NFL circles. Klint’s coaching journey has taken him from quality control duties with the Minnesota Vikings to quarterback coaching and eventually offensive coordinator roles with the Vikings, Broncos, Saints, and 49ers before landing in Seattle. His brother, Klay Kubiak, is also climbing the coaching ranks with the San Francisco 49ers. That Kubiak pedigree is a big part of why his name has been one of the most searched among coaching candidates this offseason.

Yet, some wondered whether family history might steer Klint away from the Raiders. Gary Kubiak spent years coaching under Mike Shanahan, who had a famously rocky relationship with the late Raiders owner Al Davis. But those concerns seem to have been put to bed, thanks in part to Gary’s positive relationship with Raiders GM John Spytek. In an interview with The Athletic, Gary Kubiak praised Spytek’s leadership, saying, "He helped get me comfortable with the team so that I could get in there and work with my coaches and start to break down our needs and get ready for the draft. He was a big, big asset to me. It takes certain people to be leaders of others, and Spy, that’s what he’s got in him. He’s a very upbeat, positive, good person that’s very good at motivating others around him. They didn’t want to let him down." That kind of endorsement can go a long way in a league built on relationships and trust.

Meanwhile, the Raiders’ need for offensive innovation has never been more urgent. Last season under Pete Carroll—who was let go after a dismal 3-14 campaign—the team languished at the bottom of nearly every major offensive category, averaging a league-worst 14.2 points per game and just 77.5 rushing yards per contest. The franchise endured a brutal 10-game losing streak and dismissed both offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon in the process. It’s been a tough stretch for a team with such a proud history.

But there are reasons for optimism. The Raiders are projected to have the second-most salary cap space in the NFL heading into free agency, giving them flexibility to rebuild. They’ve already got promising young talent in tight end Brock Bowers and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. And with the top pick in the draft, the stage is set for a dramatic turnaround—if the right coach can unlock it.

Kubiak’s recent work with Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is a big selling point. Darnold, whose career had stalled after stints with the Jets and Panthers, found new life under Kubiak’s guidance. Their relationship dates back to their time together with the 49ers in 2023, and the success they found in Seattle this season was a major factor in the Raiders’ decision. As one source noted, "Kubiak’s work with Darnold gives them some assurances that he can successfully develop Mendoza."

Of course, for Seattle, Kubiak’s impending departure creates a new headache. The Seahawks now face a high-stakes search for their next offensive coordinator, with internal candidates like Justin Outten and Jake Peetz reportedly in the mix. There’s also concern that Kubiak could try to bring over defensive coordinator Aden Durde to his new staff in Las Vegas—a double blow that would test Seattle’s depth and resilience.

For now, all eyes are on the Super Bowl. Once the confetti falls, expect the Raiders to move quickly to finalize Kubiak’s contract and begin the next phase of their rebuild. If all goes as planned, Las Vegas will have a new head coach, a fresh face at quarterback, and a chance to finally turn the page on years of frustration.

With the pieces falling into place, the Raiders’ long-suffering fan base has reason to believe that better days might just be on the horizon. The coming weeks promise plenty of intrigue as Kubiak’s hiring becomes official and the team’s draft plans come into sharper focus. One thing’s for sure—the Raiders are betting big on youth, innovation, and a new beginning under Klint Kubiak.