The Raiders are on the verge of hiring a new head coach, but the official announcement will take some more time—perhaps about a week.
Clint Kubiak, the offensive coordinator for the Seahawks, is optimistic about finalizing a deal to lead the Raiders, according to various sources close to the situation. However, his ongoing commitments related to Super Bowl 60 have delayed the process.
At 38 years old, Kubiak played a significant role in coaching the third-best offense in the NFL this past season. After meeting with both the Raiders and the Cardinals in Seattle, he ultimately chose to pursue the Raiders role.
Kubiak had a productive dinner with Raiders owner Mark Davis, followed by a more than two-hour interview on Saturday with minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek.
They appeared to connect well, emphasizing a shared focus on details and strategy. The opportunity to work alongside Brady and Shiptek, combined with the Raiders’ No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft—likely to be used on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza—were significant draws for Kubiak.
Kubiak takes over from Pete Carroll, who lasted just one season with the Raiders after being fired following a disappointing 3-14 record in the first year of a three-year, $45 million contract.
The son of Super Bowl-winning coach Gary Kubiak, Clint has previous coaching experience with teams like the Saints, 49ers, Vikings, and Broncos.
This past season in Seattle, under Mike McDonald, the Seahawks achieved third place in scoring with 28.4 points per game and ranked eighth in total yards with 351.4.
Kubiak’s working relationship with quarterback Sam Darnold, which had begun in San Francisco in 2023, became a crucial factor for the Raiders’ decision-makers. Darnold had been rebuilding his career after facing challenges with the Jets and Panthers, and Kubiak’s role as passing game coordinator coincided with that effort.
The Seahawks concluded their season with a strong record of 14-3, finishing as the NFC’s top seed, and they had a sharp offense under Kubiak’s guidance.
In contrast, the Raiders have seen a decline in their offensive performance over the last three years. Last season, they averaged a league-low 14.2 points per game, with issues stemming from poor quarterback play, ineffective strategies, and subpar play-calling.
Kubiak is widely recognized as an innovative offensive strategist who could turn the team’s fortunes around.
Yet, the development of Mendoza is the primary concern moving forward. The Raiders can’t afford any missteps in this critical process, as he has the potential to be the franchise’s most vital asset. It’s essential that he has a coach he can rely on.
Brady and his associates are well aware of the value of their No. 1 draft pick, and they recognize that nurturing Mendoza’s growth is essential. They needed a coach who could navigate this delicate development successfully. Kubiak’s collaboration with Darnold paints a promising picture for achieving this goal. It appears they’ve found their man in Kubiak.
