Klint Kubiak Chooses Raiders Over Cardinals - And That Decision Could Signal a Shift in Vegas
Let’s be honest - the Las Vegas Raiders haven’t exactly been high on anyone’s shortlist lately. A 3-14 season will do that to a franchise.
The team’s been stuck in neutral for a while, and respectability has felt more like a memory than a goal. But this week, the Silver and Black made a move that could change that narrative - and it starts at the top.
Klint Kubiak, one of the most intriguing young coaching minds on the market, had options. According to reports, he was Arizona’s top target.
But instead of heading to the desert to work with Kyler Murray, he chose the Raiders. That alone raises eyebrows.
On paper, it’s a puzzling decision. The Cardinals have a quarterback - a flawed one, sure, but Kyler Murray has made a Pro Bowl, led a team to the playoffs, and flashed elite athleticism when healthy.
The Raiders, by contrast, are expected to move on from Geno Smith and are widely projected to draft Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick this spring. That means Kubiak is walking into a situation with no clear QB1 - at least not yet.
So why Vegas?
There’s a theory making the rounds, and it has less to do with scheme fits or quarterback rooms and more to do with the bottom line. The Cardinals have a well-known reputation for being frugal when it comes to coaching salaries. That’s reportedly a key reason why Kubiak passed on Arizona.
Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean Raiders owner Mark Davis broke the bank. But there’s growing belief that minority owner Tom Brady - yes, that Tom Brady - may have played a role in nudging Davis to invest in a legitimate head coach.
Since Brady bought a stake in the team (at what’s been described as a discount price), he’s reportedly had a strong influence on the franchise’s decision-making. If he pushed for Kubiak and convinced Davis to spend, that’s a notable shift in how the Raiders have operated in recent years.
Of course, contract details are still under wraps, and we may not get the full picture for a while. But if the money did talk - and if Brady’s voice helped carry it - then this is more than just a new coach. It could be the start of a new era in Vegas.
The next domino? Kubiak’s staff.
Rumors suggest he’s eyeing several coaches from the Seattle Seahawks, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. There are a few defensive names floating around as well.
The Seahawks just won the Super Bowl, so it’s safe to assume their assistants are in high demand - and likely due for raises. If the Raiders are serious about building a top-tier staff, they’ll have to open the checkbook again.
And that’s where things get really interesting. It’s not just about hiring a head coach - it’s about committing to the full infrastructure that supports him. Vegas has cap space to work with, and this offseason will be a major test of whether the organization is finally ready to spend like a contender.
Kubiak’s decision to choose the Raiders over the Cardinals is more than just a coaching hire. It’s a signal - maybe even a challenge - to the rest of the league. If Las Vegas is ready to act like a serious football operation, it starts now.