Klint Kubiak’s Raiders players will not confuse his calm nature for a lack of strength.

Kirk Cousins Adjusts to New Culture with Raiders

HENDERSON, Nev. — You might not think a 37-year-old veteran like Kirk Cousins would be anxiously checking his watch for voluntary practice. Yet, that’s precisely what he found himself doing during the Raiders’ two-month offseason program, which just wrapped up with minicamp.

Cousins, known for his reliability, has rarely, if ever, been late. He really takes pride in his commitment to the game. However, the serious atmosphere created by new Raiders coach Klint Kubiak has made an impression on him. Kubiak’s approach focuses on meticulousness and strong work ethic, emphasizing punctuality and readiness from the moment players arrive.

Even though Cousins has spent years in the NFL and shares a history with Kubiak from their time with the Vikings, he still finds himself on the receiving end of Kubiak’s discerning gaze. There’s a clear expectation to be timely, even for minor tasks.

It’s all part of the transformative culture Kubiak is establishing in his first season as a head coach. “I feel it,” Cousins shared. “I find myself checking my watch several times to ensure I’m on time or early. There’s a sense of urgency he brings that resonated with me.”

This essence shapes Kubiak’s early months leading the team. Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes expressed it candidly: “All ball.” Yes, there are enjoyable moments. But there’s a renewed urgency in Las Vegas that hasn’t been there since the Raiders relocated in 2020. It’s less about immediate victories and more about taking every necessary step to achieve positive results over time.

As Kubiak articulated, “Our job as coaches is to set expectations, provide a detailed plan, and ensure our players follow through without overlooking mistakes. If something isn’t right, we redo it. Everyone’s accountable, because on game day, it’s all at stake.”

This focus on accountability is a significant reason why Tom Brady, the Raiders’ minority owner, and general manager John Spytek identified Kubiak as the ideal leader for a team with a lackluster track record of only two wins and two playoff appearances in the last 23 years.

Kubiak, who was the offensive coordinator for last season’s Super Bowl-winning Seahawks, exudes a seriousness and care that players respect and strive to embody.

The environment being established by Brady and Spytek in Las Vegas is one where attention to detail is paramount, with an expectation of consistent accountability. Their hope is to foster winning habits that will replace the past’s unrealistic expectations.

Of course, there’s no guarantee of success. But a change was undeniably necessary as the previous strategies clearly weren’t effective.

“I love it. That’s just who I am,” said wide receiver Tre Tucker. “We’re here to win games and play football, so let’s get to it. The outside stuff can wait. We focus on doing our job here.”

With Kubiak at the helm, the focus now shifts to executing on the field, transforming a mindset heavily influenced by noteworthy figures like Jon Gruden and Pete Carroll over the years.

Kubiak may not have the same outgoing personality as some former coaches, but players are quickly realizing that his quiet demeanor does not equate to weakness. They appreciate the clear and earnest communication he brings.