The Las Vegas Raiders officially announced Monday that they have hired Klint Kubiak as the franchise’s new head coach, agreeing to a five year contract with the 38 year old offensive coordinator fresh off a Super Bowl championship. Kubiak confirmed the move Sunday night following Seattle’s win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Kubiak becomes the Raiders’ third head coach in three seasons and their sixth since 2021. Las Vegas fired Pete Carroll in early January after his one season ended with a league worst 3-14 record, earning the Raiders the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Owner Mark Davis, minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek led an extensive coaching search before settling on Kubiak, whose offensive success in Seattle made him one of the most coveted candidates this cycle.
In his lone season as Seattle’s offensive coordinator, Kubiak helped engineer one of the league’s most productive offenses. The Seahawks finished third in scoring at 28.4 points per game, eighth in total yards and eighth in passing offense, while going 14-3 to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Under his guidance, quarterback Sam Darnold enjoyed a career resurgence, wide receiver Jaxon Smith Njigba led the NFL in receiving yards and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors, and running back Kenneth Walker III won Super Bowl MVP after a dominant postseason run.
Kubiak’s coaching resume spans several organizations in a short period of time. Before Seattle, he served as offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints, passing game coordinator for both the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos, and quarterbacks coach before becoming offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings. Las Vegas will be his sixth franchise in as many seasons, but also his first opportunity to run a team as a head coach. He follows in the footsteps of his father Gary Kubiak, a former Super Bowl winning head coach with the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos, while his younger brother Klay currently serves as offensive coordinator for the 49ers.
Kubiak inherits a Raiders roster full of uncertainty but also opportunity. Las Vegas holds the No. 1 overall pick, nine additional draft selections and roughly $110 million in salary cap space, giving the new staff significant flexibility to reshape the team. Questions loom about the future of veteran quarterback Geno Smith, who struggled last season after arriving via trade, as well as star pass rusher Maxx Crosby, one of the league’s premier defensive players. Still, young building blocks like tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty provide a foundation, and many around the league expect the Raiders to target Indiana quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the top pick.
Despite taking over one of the league’s worst teams, Kubiak steps into the role with momentum, credibility and a championship pedigree. For a franchise searching for long term direction, the Raiders are betting that a young, offensive minded coach fresh off a Super Bowl run can finally bring stability and sustained success to Las Vegas.
