Klint Kubiak isn’t walking into his first game as a head coach like it’s a ceremony. He’s approaching it like a job that has to be done right.
Ahead of the Raiders’ season opener, Kubiak kept the focus squarely on preparation. He spoke to reporters this week with a steady, matter-of-fact tone, giving credit to his staff and players for the work they’ve put in since April before finishing with a simple line: “We’re ready to play.”
That kind of tone fits the moment for a Las Vegas team going through major change. Kubiak is not only the Raiders’ new head coach, he’s also calling plays and running the offense. That means he’s juggling game management and offensive design at the same time, a setup that can stretch even an experienced coach, let alone someone doing it for the first time.
Kubiak was open about that reality. He acknowledged that there are things he used to handle himself that now have to be covered by others, and he’s leaning hard on his coordinators, trainers, and strength staff to keep everything moving. With the Raiders already working through a new offensive system under Kirk Cousins and opening the season without Brock Bowers, that shared responsibility matters even more.
If the support structure around him doesn’t hold, the problems could show up quickly. Slow starts, shaky clock management, or a hesitation in the play calling would not be hard to spot in a season opener where the margin for error is already thin.
But if the staff Kubiak has put together can handle the load, it tells a bigger story about the Raiders’ setup. It would suggest there’s enough stability behind him for this two-role approach to work over time, something that also has long-term value for continuity and cap efficiency by avoiding the need for a separate expensive offensive coordinator.
Early on, expect Kubiak to stay conservative while he gets a better feel for how much he can manage in real time. As the season moves along and trust builds with the people around him, the offense should open up and his play calling can become more aggressive.
In Other News...
Raiders Face An Early Brock Bowers Problem They Can't Ignore
Brock Bowers wont be available when the Raiders open the season against the Dolphins, and that puts an immediate spotlight on how Las Vegas plans to move forward without one of its most important young playmakers. Head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed the tight end has been ruled out after undergoing a meniscus trim surgery on his knee, a development that leaves the team to adjust its Week 1 plans before the games even start.
The bigger concern for the Raiders is that no specific return timeline has been set, which makes Bowers absence feel less like a short detour and more like the start of a cautious waiting game. Given the teams awareness of his previous knee issues, this is clearly a situation Las Vegas is handling carefully, but it also means the offense has to be ready for an early stretch without the player it was built to feature. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Week 1 Inactives Include One Surprise Fans Didnt See Coming
The Raiders first game of the season brought one notable wrinkle before kickoff, as the clubs Week 1 inactive list against the Dolphins included linebacker Cody Lindenberg. Las Vegas also ruled out quarterback Aidan OConnell, who is serving as the emergency third quarterback, along with tight end Brock Bowers, safety Dalton Johnson, defensive tackle JJ Pegues, cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. and interior offensive lineman Bryce Cabeldue.
For a team sorting through roster decisions and health questions in the opening week, the inactive list offered an early look at how the Raiders want to shape the sideline mix against Miami. Some of the names were expected because of injury or recent acquisition status, but Lindenbergs designation stood out as the one fans probably did not have circled when the day began. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Face One Big Maxx Crosby Question Before The Deadline
The trade chatter around Maxx Crosby has only grown louder as the November 10 deadline nears, and it all starts with how close the Raiders came to dealing their star edge rusher in the first place. The Ravens backed out of a trade agreement after Crosby failed a physical, which instantly reset the market and sent other contenders back to the table. The Rams were among the most aggressive teams to circle back, but Crosby made it clear he wants to stay in Las Vegas.
Even with that stance, the phone lines are not likely to go quiet. The Eagles, Cowboys and 49ers have all shown interest, and Dallas has emerged as the club that could make the strongest push if it decides to act before the deadline. For the Raiders, the question is no longer whether Crosby has value. It is how long they can hold onto one of the leagues most coveted pass rushers while the rest of the market keeps probing. [Read more 🡒]