Klint Kubiak’s Candidacy Cooling Off in Raiders’ Coaching Search
What once looked like a strong connection between Klint Kubiak and the Las Vegas Raiders is starting to cool - and fast. While there’s been no official word that Kubiak has taken himself out of the running for the Raiders’ head coaching job, the latest developments suggest the momentum has shifted elsewhere.
On Tuesday morning, longtime Raiders insider Vinny Bonsignore shared on Raider Nation Radio that Kubiak has yet to schedule a second interview with the team. That’s notable, especially considering how quickly second interviews tend to follow for serious candidates in a head coaching search.
“Klint Kubiak has not come in for a second interview,” Bonsignore said. “Unless we hear at some point that he’s agreed to come in here for a second interview, I think for right now you almost have to remove him from consideration.”
That’s a significant pivot, especially given that Kubiak was once viewed as a frontrunner for the job. But the tone has changed. According to Bonsignore, it sounds like Kubiak may be staying put in Seattle - a decision that could benefit him in the long run, especially if the Seahawks’ offense continues trending upward under his guidance.
Later in the day, Bonsignore doubled down on the idea that it’s Kubiak - not the Raiders - who’s holding things up. “He’s free to come in for a second interview,” he tweeted, underscoring the point that the door remains open in Vegas, but Kubiak hasn’t walked through it.
That silence speaks volumes.
If Kubiak isn’t actively pursuing a second meeting, it’s fair to wonder if his interest in the job has cooled - or perhaps if he was never fully sold on the opportunity in the first place. Whether it’s the organizational direction, the roster, or the overall fit, something appears to be holding him back from taking the next step.
This development has reshaped the race for the Raiders’ head coaching job. What once looked like a three-man field now feels like a two-horse sprint between Davis Webb and Brian Daboll.
Webb, in particular, seems to have real traction. Bonsignore noted that Webb would be an “extremely easy and positive sell” to the fan base - and that kind of backing matters, especially in a market as passionate and vocal as Raider Nation.
Daboll, meanwhile, brings a different kind of appeal: the experience of being a head coach and a proven offensive mind. If the Raiders are looking for someone with a track record of leading a team and developing quarterbacks, Daboll checks a lot of boxes.
As for Kubiak, the door isn’t officially closed, but it’s certainly not swinging wide open either. There’s still time for things to change - coaching searches can be fluid, and all it takes is one strong meeting to reset the narrative. But for now, all signs point to Kubiak stepping back, not leaning in.
And with the Raiders looking to make a decision sooner rather than later, the clock is ticking.