The Las Vegas Raiders are turning the page - and they’re doing it with a familiar name in football circles. Klint Kubiak, fresh off his stint as the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator during their Super Bowl run, is set to take over as the Raiders’ new head coach. It's a bold move that signals a clear direction: build around a young quarterback, modernize the offense, and tap into a coaching tree with deep NFL roots.
Kubiak’s rise has been steady, and now he’ll be tasked with steering a Raiders franchise that’s been searching for consistency. His background - including stops in Minnesota, New Orleans, and most recently Seattle - has given him a well-rounded offensive résumé. But now comes the next big step: assembling a staff that can execute his vision in Las Vegas.
One name already surfacing as a likely addition is Andrew Janocko, Seattle’s quarterbacks coach. Janocko has worked alongside Kubiak across multiple teams, and that familiarity could be key in building out the offense.
If Kubiak is looking for someone who understands his system inside and out, Janocko fits the bill. Whether he follows Kubiak to Vegas or stays in Seattle, he’s clearly on the radar.
Also in the mix are a couple of other coaches with ties to Kubiak. Jake Peetz, Seattle’s offensive passing game coordinator, has been in the conversation for offensive coordinator roles around the league and could be a candidate for a promotion. Running backs coach Justin Outten is another name to watch - he’s been mentioned in league circles as someone on the rise.
Whoever lands the offensive coordinator job will likely have the opportunity to work with a quarterback already generating serious buzz: Fernando Mendoza. The Indiana standout just led the Hoosiers to a national championship and is widely expected to go No. 1 overall in April’s NFL Draft - a pick currently held by the Raiders.
Mendoza brings a more traditional pocket-passer profile than some of the recent top picks at the position, but don't mistake that for being one-dimensional. In the national title game, he showed he can move when needed, extending plays with his legs and keeping defenses honest. That kind of versatility, paired with a sharp football IQ, makes him an ideal fit for a Kubiak-led offense that values timing, precision, and adaptability.
And Mendoza won’t be walking into an empty cupboard. The Raiders already have some serious talent at the skill positions.
Running back Ashton Jeanty brings explosive playmaking ability out of the backfield, while tight end Brock Bowers is a matchup nightmare - the kind of athletic, do-it-all weapon that can thrive in a modern NFL offense. Add those two to the mix, and the new offensive coordinator will have some real tools to work with.
The Kubiak hire is expected to become official shortly after Sunday’s Super Bowl, but the wheels are already in motion. With a new coach, a likely franchise quarterback on the way, and a supporting cast that’s ready to compete, the Raiders are building something - and they’re doing it with purpose.
The NFL Draft is still a couple of months out, but make no mistake: the new era in Las Vegas is already underway.