The Las Vegas Raiders may still be a week or two away from naming their next head coach, but the search is clearly heating up - and two names are beginning to rise above the rest: Klint Kubiak and Davis Webb.
There’s been steady buzz around Kubiak for some time, with insiders pointing to him as a top contender. And over the weekend, that chatter got even louder.
But now, Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb is starting to gain serious traction in Raiders circles as well - and it’s not just idle speculation. According to reports, Webb is firmly in the mix, and some believe he’s emerging as a legitimate frontrunner.
Speaking on Raider Nation Radio, insider Vinny Bonsignore hinted strongly that the Raiders' next head coach is likely involved in this weekend’s playoff action. He specifically mentioned Webb as someone gaining momentum within the organization, saying, “It’s almost guaranteed, I would say, that the next Raiders head coach is in somehow, some way involved this weekend… Davis Webb, as well, and I think he’s gaining a lot of steam in Raiders quarters.”
That’s a notable development, especially considering how young and relatively unproven Webb is in coaching circles. But it’s not without precedent - and the buzz around him isn’t coming out of nowhere.
Webb, 30, has been viewed as one of the NFL’s rising coaching stars. Before this season even began, league insider Ari Meirov had Webb atop his list of top head coaching candidates under 40.
That’s high praise, and it came with a compelling backstory. According to Meirov, Webb made a major impression on Sean Payton during the Broncos’ coaching search last offseason.
Payton was reportedly planning to hire someone from his New Orleans circle to fill the quarterbacks coach role - until Webb completely changed the plan.
In his interview, Webb reportedly blew Payton away. So much so that Payton hired him on the spot.
Since then, Webb has taken on a larger role in Denver, earning a promotion to passing game coordinator and even calling plays during the preseason. And while Bo Nix’s rookie campaign turned heads, Webb’s fingerprints were all over that development.
As the quarterbacks coach, he played a key role in grooming the young passer and helping the Broncos’ offense take shape.
Back in Las Vegas, though, Kubiak remains a name to watch. The current Seahawks offensive coordinator has long been linked to the job, and there was extra scrutiny on him heading into Saturday’s game against San Francisco. Bonsignore noted that the spotlight was firmly on Kubiak, calling for more creativity, better protection schemes, and a clear plan to support quarterback Sam Darnold - especially if Darnold wasn’t at full strength.
Kubiak answered that call in a big way. Seattle exploded for 41 points against the 49ers, even if it came against a banged-up defense.
Still, it was the kind of offensive outburst that can make a statement - especially when you’re auditioning for a head coaching job. Kubiak showed he could adapt and dial up a dynamic game plan when it mattered most.
So now the Raiders find themselves weighing two very different but intriguing options. On one hand, there’s Kubiak - the more experienced play-caller, with a strong NFL pedigree and a recent résumé that includes coordinating a high-powered offense. On the other, Webb - a fast-rising, charismatic young coach who’s already earned the trust of one of the most respected minds in football.
Albert Breer, another league insider, described Webb as a “unique guy” with the presence and personality to connect with players. He acknowledged that hiring someone so young would be a gamble, but also noted that Webb’s football IQ is where it needs to be. In Breer’s view, Webb “would make a lot of sense” for the Raiders.
And that’s the crux of the decision facing Las Vegas. Do they go with a proven offensive coordinator in Kubiak, who just put up 40-plus in a playoff game? Or do they take a swing on a high-upside coaching prospect in Webb, whose meteoric rise has caught the attention of some of the league’s most respected voices?
There’s no official word yet on which direction the Raiders are leaning. But one thing is clear: the search is narrowing, and both Kubiak and Webb are firmly in the spotlight. Whether it’s the steady hand of a seasoned coordinator or the fresh energy of a coaching prodigy, the Raiders are inching closer to making a franchise-defining decision.