Raiders Zero In On Klint Kubiak As Next Head Coach

The Las Vegas Raiders appear poised to turn the page on a tumultuous chapter in franchise history, with Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak expected to become their next head coach. Multiple reports, including those from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network, confirm that the Raiders are zeroing in on Kubiak after meeting with him on Saturday, January 31, 2026. While the deal cannot be finalized until after Super Bowl LX on February 9, fans and analysts alike are already buzzing about what the 38-year-old offensive mastermind might bring to Sin City.

Kubiak’s rise through the NFL coaching ranks has been nothing short of meteoric. In his first season as Seattle’s offensive coordinator, he orchestrated one of the league’s most potent attacks. The Seahawks finished the 2025 regular season ranked third in scoring (28.4 points per game) and eighth in total yards (351.4 yards per game). Their offensive fireworks continued into the postseason, where they led all teams with an average of 36 points per game, propelling Seattle to a 14-3 record, the NFC’s top seed, and a berth in Super Bowl LX.

Perhaps the most glowing testament to Kubiak’s coaching acumen is the breakout performance of wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The second-year pro shattered career highs with 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 119 catches, then added 13 grabs for 172 yards and two scores in the playoffs. Quarterback Sam Darnold also enjoyed a resurgence under Kubiak, as the Seahawks’ offense became the talk of the league. According to ESPN, Kubiak was “one of the top head-coaching candidates in the league this hiring cycle.”

Kubiak’s coaching pedigree is impressive, too. He is the son of Super Bowl-winning head coach Gary Kubiak, who guided the Denver Broncos to glory and was widely respected for his offensive innovations. The younger Kubiak started his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings as an offensive quality control coach, working under his father before being promoted to quarterbacks coach and later offensive coordinator. He then held stints as the San Francisco 49ers’ passing game coordinator (2023) and the New Orleans Saints’ offensive coordinator (2024) before joining Seattle. FOX Sports ranked him the fourth-best head coach candidate of the 2026 hiring cycle.

For the Raiders, Kubiak’s expected arrival marks the third head coach in as many seasons—and the sixth since 2021. The organization is eager for stability and success after a disastrous 3-14 campaign under Pete Carroll, who was fired after just one year at the helm. The Raiders’ struggles were compounded by offensive woes, particularly at quarterback. Geno Smith, acquired via trade in hopes of rekindling the magic he enjoyed with Carroll in Seattle, threw for 3,025 yards and 19 touchdowns but also led the league with 17 interceptions. Despite signing a two-year, $75 million extension, Smith’s future in Las Vegas is now in doubt.

With the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a war chest of nine additional selections, the Raiders are widely expected to target Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Yahoo Sports draft analyst Nate Tice described Mendoza as “a clean operator whose sheer professionalism could lift the floor up for a franchise that’s been in the doldrums for oh so long.” Mendoza’s accuracy, poise, and ability to handle high-pressure situations have made him a consensus top choice—a potential franchise savior for a team that hasn’t won a playoff game since Super Bowl XXXVII, 23 years ago.

The Raiders’ front office, led by owner Mark Davis, minority owner Tom Brady, and general manager John Spytek, played an active role in the coaching search. Brady’s involvement, in particular, has added a layer of intrigue and expectation to the proceedings. According to ESPN, “Tom Brady, a minority owner, worked with general manager John Spytek during the Raiders’ coaching search.”

Las Vegas also boasts significant resources to reshape the roster. With $110 million in salary cap space and ten draft picks, the team is well-positioned to make aggressive moves in free agency and the draft. Speculation is swirling that Kubiak could look to bring some familiar faces from his previous stops. Former Saints players like right guard Cesar Ruiz—who had his best season under Kubiak in 2024—and tight end Foster Moreau, who posted 32 catches for 413 yards and five touchdowns in Kubiak’s system, could be on the Raiders’ radar. Defensive back Alontae Taylor, known for his versatility and playmaking, is another name to watch, as is respected position coach Keith Williams.

The offensive line will be a particular focus, given the Raiders’ struggles at right guard last season—five different players started at the position, combining for 16 sacks allowed and 13 penalties. Ruiz, who was openly critiqued by Saints GM Mickey Loomis, could be a prime trade target to shore up the trenches. On the other side of the ball, the future of star pass rusher Maxx Crosby looms large. Crosby, who tallied 73 tackles, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception in 2025 before undergoing knee surgery, remains under contract for four more years but has no guaranteed money beyond 2026. He declared on social media, “Clean up time. Successful surgery. Expecting 200% recovery. Year 8 will be the greatest year yet.”

Kubiak’s imminent hire also signals a shift in organizational philosophy. The Raiders have cycled through coaches and quarterbacks in recent years, searching for an identity. The last time the franchise held the No. 1 overall pick, they selected JaMarcus Russell in 2007—a cautionary tale that still haunts the fan base. This time, however, optimism abounds that a dynamic, young offensive mind paired with a blue-chip quarterback prospect could finally turn things around.

As the Seahawks prepare for Super Bowl LX, Kubiak’s attention remains on the task at hand. But in Las Vegas, the anticipation is palpable. With a talented young nucleus, ample resources, and a fresh vision under Kubiak, the Raiders are poised to embark on a new era—one that fans hope will finally deliver the sustained success that’s eluded them for more than two decades.

While the ink isn’t dry just yet, all signs point to Klint Kubiak taking the reins in Las Vegas once the Super Bowl confetti falls. The Silver and Black faithful can only wait and watch as a new chapter begins, filled with hope, questions, and the promise of change.