The Las Vegas Raiders' coaching search is heating up again, and this time, all eyes are on Klint Kubiak. According to a recent report, the Raiders are set to bring in the Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator for a second interview-just ahead of the Super Bowl frenzy. It’s a telling move, one that suggests Kubiak has emerged as a serious contender for the offensive reins in Vegas.
Now, there’s been a little back-and-forth on the timeline. Word earlier in the week was that interviews with Kubiak and a few others already took place last weekend. But in true Raiders fashion, the process seems to be unfolding on its own schedule-one that might just revolve around Tom Brady’s calendar.
Brady, of course, is no ordinary minority owner. The future Hall of Famer and current Fox Sports analyst has a full plate, splitting time between broadcast duties and his growing influence within the Raiders organization.
He was recently spotted in Miami for the national championship game between the Hurricanes and Indiana Hoosiers, and it’s believed he had some conversations about the Raiders’ coaching situation while in town. Whether those talks were casual or something more concrete remains to be seen, but it’s clear Brady’s voice carries weight in these decisions.
One name that’s officially off the board? Joe Brady.
The Buffalo Bills didn’t waste time locking him in as their new head coach, signing him to a five-year deal. Brady had been mentioned as a possible Raiders target, but that door is now closed.
Then there’s the curious case of Davis Webb, the Denver Broncos’ passing game coordinator. Webb had reportedly drawn interest from the Raiders, but things got murky after Broncos head coach Sean Payton made some pointed remarks about the Raiders job. It’s unclear whether Payton was trying to dissuade Webb from leaving or just speaking off the cuff-but either way, the comments raised eyebrows.
Adding to the intrigue, Payton recently cleaned house on his offensive staff. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and wide receivers coach Keary Colbert were both let go following Denver’s AFC Championship loss.
That move could be a setup for Webb to slide into the OC role in Denver, though nothing’s been confirmed. For now, Webb’s situation remains a bit of a mystery.
Back in Seattle, Kubiak’s stock is trending upward, and for good reason. His work with quarterback Sam Darnold this season has turned heads around the league.
Darnold’s resurgence under Kubiak’s guidance has been one of the more underrated storylines of the year, and it’s no surprise that teams are lining up to talk to him. The only thing slowing the process down is the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run, which has limited Kubiak’s availability for interviews.
That puts the Raiders in a bit of a bind. The longer Seattle stays alive, the hotter Kubiak’s name gets-and the more competition Las Vegas could face for his services.
This second interview feels like a pivotal moment, not just for the Raiders' coaching future but also for Brady’s influence within the organization. This is one of the first real tests of his pull in the front office.
How much sway does he actually have when it comes to shaping the team’s direction?
We’re about to find out.