Klint Kubiak’s start in Las Vegas is giving Seahawks fans something unexpected to smile about.
The former Seattle offensive coordinator has wasted little time making the Raiders look like a different team. Two weeks into the season, the vibe around Las Vegas has changed fast, and Kubiak is a big reason why. The Seahawks may have lost a strong offensive mind, but the Raiders appear to have landed a head coach who knows exactly how to push a team in the right direction.
There’s plenty of turnover in Las Vegas, too. The roster has only 29 holdovers from the 2025 53-man group, and the changes at quarterback and running back are impossible to miss: Geno Smith is gone, replaced by Kirk Cousins, while Josh Jacobs has been swapped out for Ashton Jeanty. But Kubiak is the biggest shift of all.
What stands out most is the way he carries himself and the way his teams respond. Like Mike Macdonald in Seattle, Kubiak expects accountability from everyone.
It’s about the collective result, not any one player’s highlight reel. That approach is showing up with the Raiders, just as it does with the Seahawks.
Seattle fans have already seen the ripple effect of Kubiak’s departure in their own offense, though there’s no reason to panic. Brian Fleury’s unit is 17th in the league after two weeks, a number that looks modest next to last year’s third-place scoring finish.
But the context matters. Sam Darnold was knocked out on the fifth play of Week 1, and Drew Lock had to step in without any first-unit reps.
Once Lock settled in, he’s been excellent.
The Seahawks put up 31 points against the Cardinals in Week 2, tied for fifth-most in the league that week. The Chiefs needed overtime to get to 33, so the point total looks even stronger when viewed through that lens.
With Darnold sidelined, there’s still no real reason to worry about Seattle’s offense. The early results are a reminder that Kubiak left a mark, but not a hole the Seahawks can’t handle.
Still, the concern was real when he walked out the door. Seattle fans know how disruptive a coaching departure can be, and Baltimore’s experience after Mike Macdonald left for Seattle hangs over that conversation.
Under Coach Mike, the Ravens defense finished 3rd and then 1st; after he left, it dropped to 9th and 18th, and the head coach was fired. That’s the nightmare scenario for any fan base watching a respected coach leave.
But Seattle does not look headed down that road. Brian Fleury is already settling in, and the offense should keep climbing.
The early hiccups are part of the process. Kubiak’s own first game as offensive coordinator in Seattle produced only 13 points, then the Seahawks bounced back with 31 in Week 2.
By midseason, the offense could be in the top five again.
And in Las Vegas, Kubiak is already showing what kind of coach he can be. The Raiders are giving their prized draft pick time to adjust to the speed of the NFL, rather than forcing him into a bad situation. That patience is part of the picture, and it’s part of why the Raiders suddenly look so different.
For Seahawks fans, that makes Kubiak hard to resent. He’s one of the game’s top offensive minds, and the Raiders are benefiting from it right away.
Maybe that means the 12s can root for Las Vegas a little bit now. Or at least appreciate what Kubiak is doing there.
In Other News...
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Seahawks Face A Drew Lock Decision That Could Backfire Fast
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For Seattle, the question is whether to cash in on Lock now and try to get some draft capital back, or keep him around as insurance in case the quarterback room gets tested again. Trading him could bring back a pick, but moving on too soon also leaves the Seahawks thinner if they need a proven contingency plan, which is why this one could turn fast depending on how the market develops. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Could Be Facing A Bigger Seattle Backfield Threat Than Expected
Emanuel Wilson is in line for a bigger workload in Week 3, and that gives Seattles offense another layer for Washington to worry about. With Jadarian Price dealing with a chest injury, Wilsons role could expand after a strong showing in Week 2, putting him squarely in the conversation as a possible anytime touchdown option when the Seahawks meet the Commanders.
For a Seattle backfield that already looked like it might be shifting, Wilsons timing is notable. If Price is limited or unavailable, the Seahawks could lean more heavily on Wilson for carries and scoring chances, which is why DraftKings Sportsbook has him listed at +220 to score. It is the kind of late-week development that can change both game planning and fantasy expectations in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]