As the Seattle Seahawks gear up for the Super Bowl, their offensive coordinator is drawing serious attention from teams still in the hunt for a new head coach. Both the Las Vegas Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals are lining up second interviews with him this week, and all signs point to those meetings happening before the weekend.
At this stage in the hiring cycle, those two franchises represent the last remaining head-coaching opportunities for him. If neither situation feels like the right fit, a return to Seattle for another year remains firmly on the table.
When it comes to the Raiders, there’s growing belief that Las Vegas could be the frontrunner. The buzz around the league suggests the odds are leaning in their favor - roughly 60-40 - should they decide to extend an offer.
That’s not a done deal, but it’s a strong lean, especially considering how highly regarded he’s become in this hiring cycle. He’s the eighth candidate the Raiders have spoken with, but at this point, he’s emerged as the top name on the board.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, appear to be facing an uphill climb. While he’s expected to meet with Arizona’s brass, there’s a sense that unless the Raiders pass, he’ll likely head back to Seattle rather than take the Cardinals job. That’s not a knock on Arizona, but it speaks to how selective he can afford to be - and how appealing the Seattle situation still is.
One of the key elements in Las Vegas is the presence of minority owner and future Hall of Famer Tom Brady. Any head coach stepping into that building has to be comfortable with Brady’s influence - not just as a figurehead, but as someone who may be involved in football decisions. That level of oversight isn’t for everyone, but it’s a factor the Raiders are making clear to every candidate, including Kubiak.
Still, the Raiders are expected to come in with a major offer. They know what’s at stake.
With other top candidates off the board, Kubiak is the best available option - a sharp offensive mind with a deep understanding of quarterback play and a calm, steady demeanor that could bring much-needed stability to the franchise. If Las Vegas wants to land him, they’ll need to go all-in.
Las Vegas does have backup plans. Denver Broncos passing-game coordinator Davis Webb and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero have both received second interviews.
Webb is seen as a rising star, but at just 31 years old and without any coordinator experience, hiring him would be a major roll of the dice. Evero is a respected defensive mind, but he hasn’t generated the same level of excitement among decision-makers.
That’s why the Raiders are likely to push hard for Kubiak. He checks the boxes they’re looking for: experience, offensive innovation, and leadership.
If they can close the deal, it could mark a major turning point for a franchise that’s been searching for stability at the top. If they miss, the path forward becomes a lot murkier - and a lot riskier.