The Raiders have found their next head coach - and it’s Klint Kubiak. While the official announcement is still pending, all signs point to the 36-year-old offensive coordinator taking the reins in Las Vegas. And make no mistake: this is a big swing by the franchise, one that could reshape the direction of the team heading into a pivotal 2026 season.
Kubiak is one of the more intriguing young offensive minds in the NFL coaching ranks. His résumé includes stints with the Vikings, Broncos, and most recently, the 49ers, where he served as passing game coordinator.
Now, he steps into a leadership role with a team that’s got a No. 1 overall pick quarterback on deck, plus dynamic weapons like tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty. That’s a lot of firepower - and a lot of pressure.
What makes this hire stand out is that it breaks from the Raiders’ recent pattern. In the past, the franchise has leaned on internal promotions or recycled names who never quite moved the needle. Kubiak represents a clean break - a fresh voice, a new energy, and potentially, a modernized offensive identity.
Of course, hiring a hotshot coordinator doesn’t guarantee success. The question now shifts from scheme to leadership.
Can Kubiak command a locker room? Can he build a culture that sticks?
That part remains to be seen. But on paper, this is a move that makes sense.
It’s bold without being reckless - a calculated risk with real upside.
In a twist of football fate, Kubiak is set to call plays for the 49ers in the Super Bowl - where he’ll be squaring off against none other than Josh McDaniels, the former Raiders head coach now serving as the Patriots' offensive coordinator. It’s a strange full-circle moment, considering how McDaniels’ time in Vegas was defined by offensive inconsistency. Now, Kubiak gets his shot to bring the spark that eluded his predecessor.
It’s also worth noting how close this hire came to slipping away. Kubiak had legitimate interest from the Cardinals and could’ve returned to the Seahawks, where he previously served as quarterbacks coach.
If either of those doors had opened wider, the Raiders might have been left scrambling. Instead, they got their guy - and Tom Brady’s growing influence within the organization may have helped seal the deal.
His presence, even in an ownership role, adds a layer of appeal to a job that’s historically been tough to sell.
At the end of the day, the Raiders pulled it off. They landed a forward-thinking coach with a clear offensive pedigree and a chance to grow alongside a young core. There’s plenty of work ahead, and no guarantees - but for a franchise that’s been searching for a spark, this feels like a step in the right direction.
The Raider Nation has been waiting for a reason to believe again. Today, they got one.