The Las Vegas Raiders are deep into their head coaching search, and one name gaining serious traction is Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. With six interview requests already on the books-tied for the third-most in this hiring cycle-Kubiak is clearly a hot commodity. But what makes him such a compelling candidate for the Silver and Black?
Beyond the usual Xs and Os, one of the most overlooked yet critical parts of hiring a head coach is evaluating the staff they can assemble. It’s not just about the head coach’s vision-it’s about the people he brings in to bring that vision to life. In that department, Kubiak has a strong track record and deep connections across the league that could lead to a high-quality coaching staff if he lands the job in Vegas.
If the Raiders were to hire Kubiak, the expectation is he’d take on play-calling duties himself. That’s been his style, and it’s part of what makes him attractive-he brings a system with him, not just a philosophy.
When he joined the Seahawks, he brought along several trusted assistants, including offensive line coach John Benton. Benton’s impact in Seattle was immediate and impressive, helping turn a struggling offensive line into a much more cohesive and effective unit.
That kind of turnaround is exactly what the Raiders could use up front, and if Benton were to follow Kubiak to Las Vegas, it could be a game-changer. While it’s uncertain whether Seattle would let Benton walk, a promotion-perhaps to offensive coordinator or run-game coordinator-might be a way to make it happen.
There’s also a potential family reunion on the table. Kubiak’s brother, Klay Kubiak, currently serves as the offensive coordinator in San Francisco-albeit in a non-play-calling role under Kyle Shanahan.
The idea of reuniting the Kubiak brothers in Las Vegas is intriguing, especially if there’s a conversation to be had about giving Klay more play-calling responsibilities. That kind of synergy, built on years of shared football DNA, could bring a unique dynamic to the Raiders' offensive staff.
Another name to watch on the offensive side is Justin Outten, the Seahawks’ run game specialist and assistant offensive line coach. Outten has prior offensive coordinator experience with the Denver Broncos in 2022, where he first worked alongside Kubiak.
His background includes time under Matt LaFleur, which means he’s fluent in the West Coast Offense and the zone-run schemes that Kubiak inherited from his father, Gary. If Kubiak is looking to build a cohesive offensive identity, Outten is a logical piece of that puzzle.
Defensively, two strong coordinator candidates stand out: Steve Wilks and Karl Scott. Wilks, who worked with Kubiak during their time with the 49ers in 2023, was recently let go by the New York Jets.
Despite that, his experience and defensive acumen make him a strong option to lead a unit that needs a clear identity. Meanwhile, Karl Scott, currently the Seahawks’ defensive backs coach, has also worked with Kubiak before-back in 2021 with the Vikings.
Scott is in the mix for the Commanders’ defensive coordinator job, but if Kubiak lands the Raiders gig, there’s a real possibility of a reunion in Vegas.
At the end of the day, the Raiders need more than just a head coach-they need a leader who can build a staff that elevates the entire organization. From the trenches to the secondary, from play-calling to player development, all signs point to Klint Kubiak having the network, experience, and vision to assemble a high-level staff. If Vegas is looking for a coach who can bring structure, innovation, and cohesion to a team in transition, Kubiak might just be their guy.