The Las Vegas Raiders have officially appointed Klint Kubiak as their new head coach, following his recent success as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. The announcement came on Monday, just a day after Kubiak celebrated a resounding 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Kubiak is set to be formally introduced to the media on Tuesday, and he faces several crucial decisions as he steps into this role. Among the foremost concerns is the selection of his coordinators for both the offensive and defensive units. If Kubiak opts to bring some of his staff from Seattle, he may consider Andrew Janocko for the offensive coordinator position and Aden Durde for the defense. Janocko, currently the quarterbacks coach, would be taking a significant step up, though Kubiak is likely to retain play-calling responsibilities. Meanwhile, Durde, who has been the defensive coordinator in Seattle, would gain complete control of the defense, a notable change from his current setup under coach Mike Macdonald.
Another pressing issue is the future of defensive end Maxx Crosby. Reports from two NFL insiders suggest that Crosby is contemplating leaving the team. His dissatisfaction arose after being placed on injured reserve with two games remaining in the previous season, leading to uncertainty about his commitment to another rebuilding phase. While Crosby stated on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” that he did not express such desires, he did not entirely dismiss them either. The Raiders could potentially secure a significant return by trading the 28-year-old star, which might expedite their rebuilding efforts.
As the Raiders prepare for the upcoming free agency period and the draft, they find themselves in a favorable position with the first overall pick and over $91 million in salary cap space, according to reports. This gives the team a prime opportunity to enhance their roster significantly. It is widely anticipated that they will select Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner who led Indiana to a national championship, with their top pick. However, the Raiders must focus on surrounding Mendoza with ample talent, particularly in bolstering the offensive line and securing a top-tier wide receiver. Although the defense is relatively strong, it could benefit from further improvements.
At 38 years old, Kubiak confirmed his move to Las Vegas during a post-game interview with NFL Network after the Seahawks” Super Bowl victory. The transition was not unexpected, as discussions to finalize his hiring had been ongoing for over a week prior. A source familiar with the negotiations, who wished to remain anonymous due to the absence of a formal contract, indicated that no public announcement could be made until after the Super Bowl concluded in Santa Clara, California.
Kubiak is set to become the Raiders” third coach in as many seasons and their fifth full-time head coach since relocating to Las Vegas in 2020. He will take over from Pete Carroll, who managed only a single season with a disappointing 3-14 record after a successful tenure in Seattle, which included two Super Bowl appearances and a championship title. The Raiders are eager to rediscover their former glory, having secured three Lombardi Trophies in the past but failing to win a playoff game since their last Super Bowl appearance in the 2002 season. They have reached the postseason only twice since then, with their most recent playoff run occurring in the 2021 season.
Under Kubiak”s guidance, the Seahawks” offense saw significant improvement, rising from 18th in scoring the previous year to third overall in the NFL this season. Additionally, the unit advanced from 14th to eighth in total yardage. Kubiak”s work with quarterback Sam Darnold has been particularly impressive; Darnold posted a completion rate of 67.7%, throwing for over 4,000 yards, with 25 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. Once viewed as a bust after being drafted third overall by the New York Jets in 2018, Darnold rebounded significantly, leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-win season in 2024 before proving his success with the Seahawks by winning three playoff games and ultimately capturing the Lombardi Trophy.
