Just a day after wrapping up his duties as Seattle’s offensive coordinator in Super Bowl LX, Klint Kubiak has officially stepped into the spotlight as the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. And while the ink is barely dry on that move, the real work begins now-building a staff, shaping a roster, and crafting a vision that can bring sustained success to a franchise that’s been chasing consistency for years.
Kubiak’s first steps will likely lean on familiarity-coaches he knows, players he’s worked with, and systems he trusts. That mindset could carry into free agency and the draft, where his voice will certainly influence how general manager John Spytek approaches roster construction this offseason.
The Maxx Crosby Factor: Help or Replacement?
One of the biggest questions hanging over the Raiders’ offseason centers around Maxx Crosby. He’s the heart of their defense, the tone-setter, and one of the most disruptive edge rushers in the league.
But his future in silver and black remains uncertain, and that creates a fork in the road: either build around him or prepare to move on without him. Either way, the Raiders’ pass rush needs attention.
With Crosby, they need reinforcements. Without him, they’re starting from scratch.
Two Edge Rushers Tied to Kubiak's Circle
Given their cap flexibility and defensive needs, the Raiders are going to be linked to a lot of free agents this spring. But two edge rushers, in particular, stand out-not just for their skill sets, but for their connections to the Kubiak coaching tree.
Let’s start with a name that NFL fans know well: Von Miller.
Miller, 36, lands at No. 100 on a recent ranking of the top 100 upcoming free agents. He’s not the same every-down force he once was, but he’s still producing-leading Washington with nine sacks in 2025 while playing a rotational role on a team-friendly $6 million deal. He’s also the NFL’s active sack leader with 138.5 and a future Hall of Famer.
While the connection to Klint Kubiak is indirect-Miller played under Klint’s father, Gary Kubiak, during his Denver days-there’s a deeper layer to consider. Miller has a strong relationship with Maxx Crosby, and if the Raiders are serious about keeping Crosby happy and motivated, bringing in a respected veteran like Miller could be a smart locker room move. On the field, Miller still has juice as a situational pass rusher, especially when used in the right role.
Then there’s Boye Mafe, who checks in at No. 35 on that same list.
Mafe’s raw sack numbers have dipped over the past three seasons-from nine in 2023 to six in 2024 and just two in 2025-but that doesn’t tell the full story. Seattle’s defense was the stingiest in the league last season, and Mafe played a key role in that success, even if it didn’t show up on the stat sheet.
According to ESPN’s “pass rush win rate” metric, Mafe ranked eighth among all edge rushers in 2025-just two spots behind Myles Garrett. That’s elite company. His snap count also dropped last year, with Mafe on the field for just 50 percent of Seattle’s defensive plays, which helps explain the lower sack total.
But when you dig into the advanced metrics, Mafe’s impact becomes clearer. Per Pro Football Focus, he recorded 44 quarterback pressures (including the playoffs) and posted an 81.2 pass rush grade on “true pass sets”-good for 20th among all edge rushers. He’s also been steady against the run, earning a PFF run defense grade of at least 67.8 in three of his four NFL seasons.
And here’s where the Kubiak connection comes in: Mafe played under Klint Kubiak this past season in Seattle. While Kubiak was on the offensive side of the ball, he saw Mafe’s impact up close every day in practice. That kind of familiarity matters, especially for a new head coach looking to bring in players who fit both the scheme and the culture.
Cap Space + Connections = Opportunity
The Raiders have the financial flexibility to make real moves this offseason. That doesn’t mean they’ll throw money around recklessly, but it does mean they can be selective-and aggressive-when the right opportunity presents itself.
Both Miller and Mafe bring something different to the table. Miller is the proven vet, a future Hall of Famer who can still get after the quarterback in spurts and bring leadership to a young locker room. Mafe is the ascending talent, a player whose tape and analytics suggest there’s more production to unlock in the right system.
As Klint Kubiak begins to shape his version of the Raiders, don’t be surprised if he looks to replicate some of the defensive DNA that made Seattle so tough in 2025. That might mean bringing in players he trusts.
It might mean leaning into analytics to find undervalued talent. And it might just mean that names like Von Miller and Boye Mafe end up wearing silver and black next fall.