The Las Vegas Raiders have officially ushered in a new era, hiring Klint Kubiak as their next head coach on a five-year deal. The move, long rumored to be in the works following Super Bowl LX, became reality Monday evening. By Tuesday morning, Kubiak and his family were already in Las Vegas, ready to get to work.
Kubiak will be introduced to the media at a press conference on Tuesday at 11 a.m. PST, but the real work begins behind the scenes - and fast.
At the top of his offseason to-do list: assembling a coaching staff that can help shape the identity of this franchise moving forward. And make no mistake, this staff will play a crucial role in the development of what the Raiders hope is their next franchise cornerstone.
All signs point to Fernando Mendoza being the top pick in April’s draft, and if that’s the case, the offensive coordinator hire becomes absolutely pivotal. That coach will be tasked with helping mold a rookie quarterback into a long-term NFL starter - and ideally, a star. Fortunately for the Raiders, Kubiak may already have his guy in mind.
Enter Andrew Janocko.
Currently the quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks, Janocko is more than just a respected assistant - he’s a longtime confidant of Kubiak. The two have worked together at three different stops over five years, and their shared history could make Janocko a natural fit to become Kubiak’s offensive coordinator in Las Vegas.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport pointed to Janocko as a name to watch, highlighting the strong connection between the two coaches. While another name - Jake Peetz, Seattle’s passing game coordinator - has also been floated as a possibility, Peetz appears to be a stronger candidate for the Seahawks’ own OC vacancy. Unlike Janocko, Peetz and Kubiak only have one year of overlap.
Janocko brings 13 years of NFL coaching experience to the table, having worked with quarterbacks, wide receivers, and offensive linemen. That versatility matters, especially for a team that’s about to hand the keys to a rookie signal-caller. And Janocko has a strong track record when it comes to getting the most out of his quarterbacks.
This past season, Sam Darnold showed real flashes under Janocko’s guidance. Go back a bit further, and you’ll see Derek Carr had a solid 2024 campaign with Janocko in his corner. And perhaps most notably, Kirk Cousins had one of his best seasons when Janocko was his quarterbacks coach in Minnesota.
For a young quarterback like Mendoza, that kind of experience and mentorship could be invaluable. With Kubiak now stepping into the broader responsibilities of a head coach, he’ll need someone he trusts implicitly to handle the day-to-day development of his QB. Janocko fits that mold - someone who not only understands Kubiak’s offensive philosophy but can also serve as an extension of him in the quarterback room.
The benefit of that kind of synergy can’t be overstated. When a head coach and offensive coordinator are aligned, especially with a young quarterback in the mix, it creates a streamlined environment where communication is clear, the messaging is consistent, and the learning curve doesn’t feel quite as steep.
Even though Kubiak is expected to call plays himself - a role he’s well-equipped for - having Janocko as his right-hand man in crafting the weekly game plan would be a significant asset. It would also be a step up for Janocko, and Seattle wouldn’t be able to block the move.
He may not be a household name, but within league circles, Janocko is viewed as a sharp, ascending coach. If the Raiders can bring him aboard, it would be a big win not just for Kubiak, but for Mendoza and the entire offensive unit. Continuity, trust, and shared vision - those are the building blocks of a successful coaching staff, and Kubiak and Janocko already have them in place.
Unless Seattle makes a compelling counteroffer, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Janocko follow his longtime colleague to Las Vegas. And if that happens, the Raiders’ new regime might just be off to the perfect start.