The Las Vegas Raiders are hitting the reset button - for real this time.
After a 3-14 season that left the franchise with the No. 1 overall pick and more questions than answers, the Raiders have officially entered rebuild mode. Gone is Pete Carroll, whose brief stint in Vegas was marked by a disconnect with general manager John Spytek over the team’s direction. In his place steps Klint Kubiak, a first-time head coach who, from Day 1, is aligned with the front office on what this next phase looks like: a full-scale rebuild with a long-term vision.
The Raiders aren’t pretending anymore. This isn’t a “win-now” roster dressed up in borrowed Seahawks jerseys.
It’s a team that needs development, cohesion, and a fresh identity. And for the first time in a while, there’s a plan - and people in place who agree on how to execute it.
Kubiak’s Clear-Eyed Approach Sets the Tone
At his introductory press conference, Kubiak was asked the classic rebuild question: How do you balance the desire to win with the need to develop young talent and build for the future?
His answer? Straightforward, grounded, and exactly what this franchise needs.
“Whether it’s a rebuild, whether you’re on a returning roster with Super Bowl aspirations, to me, the work doesn’t change. Preparation doesn’t change.
Every team next year is going to start off undefeated at 0-0, so it doesn’t change much,” Kubiak said. “Obviously, it’s what you identify your team needs in the offseason, player acquisition-wise.
Once April 15 starts, we’re all on the same plane.”
That’s not just coach-speak. That’s a leader setting the tone for a culture that’s been lacking direction.
Kubiak isn’t dismissing the reality of a rebuild - he’s embracing it, while also making it clear that the standard of work won’t fluctuate based on the standings. That’s the kind of mindset that builds something sustainable.
A Unified Vision - Finally
One of the most frustrating aspects of last season was the lack of clarity around the Raiders’ identity. Carroll, seemingly stuck in the past, leaned on aging veterans from his Seattle days and prioritized short-term familiarity over long-term growth. Meanwhile, Spytek was letting key defensive free agents walk and signaling a clear pivot toward youth and roster development.
That friction led to a muddled product on the field - and a locker room that never quite knew what it was playing for.
With Kubiak, that misalignment is gone. He and Spytek are on the same page.
They know this is a rebuild. They know it’s going to take time.
And they’re committed to doing it the right way - not by chasing quick fixes, but by building a foundation that can last.
That doesn’t mean Kubiak won’t be trying to win every Sunday. He will - and he should.
Wins matter, even in a rebuild. They teach young players how to close games, how to respond to adversity, and how to develop winning habits.
But those wins will come as a result of growth, not at the expense of it.
The Mendoza Factor
For the first time in a while, the Raiders enter an offseason with something resembling a quarterback plan. Fernando Mendoza isn’t a household name yet, but he’s shown enough to give the team a developmental prospect worth investing in. Pairing him with Kubiak - a coach known for his work with young quarterbacks - gives Las Vegas a chance to build something from the ground up.
Think of what the Saints did late last season with Kellen Moore and Tyler Shough. They didn’t light the world on fire, but they found a rhythm, stacked a few wins, and gave their fanbase something to believe in. That’s the kind of trajectory the Raiders should be aiming for in 2026.
No one’s asking for a playoff run. But a team that’s competitive, that finds its identity, that shows progress week over week? That’s how you start to turn the tide.
Patience Will Be Key
Let’s be clear: the Raiders aren’t going to fix everything in one offseason. This is a long-term project, and Kubiak and Spytek know that. The important thing is that they’re building with intention - not patching holes with veterans past their prime, but constructing a roster that can grow together.
The fans deserve that kind of clarity. And based on what we’ve heard from Kubiak so far, they’re finally getting it.
This isn’t about tanking. It’s about teaching the building how to win again - with a coach and a quarterback who could be here for the long haul.
The Raiders are starting from the ground up. But for the first time in a while, they’re doing it with purpose.