If Fernando Mendoza is the first overall pick, the Las Vegas Raiders need a QB-first head coach to unlock his potential. The question remains: can the duo of general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady secure the right guy before it’s too late?
Las Vegas may not have a new head coach by the weekend, but the direction is clear. The Raiders want an offensive hire. The two names most often linked to the job are Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Denver quarterbacks coach Davis Webb.
Who should the Raiders hire: Klint Kubiak or Davis Webb?
The issue is not just about a play sheet; it’s about stability. If the Raiders secure the No. 1 overall pick and select Mendoza, the offensive scheme cannot change every year. Young quarterbacks do not develop through catchy slogans; they develop through consistent repetition, solid protection, proper footwork, precise timing, and effective pressure responses. Weekly rules must remain consistent.
When those rules change, quarterbacks lose time. They are not improving. They are relearning. The league has plenty of examples. A new system can turn a promising start into a stalled season.
Kubiak and Webb offer two different paths to the same goal. Kubiak is the structure option. He brings an offensive identity that can carry over from year to year. That matters because Mendoza would not have to learn a new language each offseason. Webb is the development option. He is tied to the quarterback room. He talks about mechanics, decision speed, and situational habits. His value is teaching, not headlines.
Here is the problem: “offensive-minded” is not a plan by itself. The Raiders still have to answer basic questions. Who calls the plays and will run the weekly process? When it comes to third down and even the red zone, who’ll have the final say? Who stays with Mendoza if the staff changes? If the head coach delegates offense and the coordinator leaves after one season, the quarterback is the one who absorbs the reset.
Spytek and Brady should treat the situation like an investment. If Mendoza is selected, the hiring decision must safeguard the pick, akin to a protective insurance policy. That means one system, one voice—a staff built to stay intact. It also means building the line and the run game so the quarterback is not forced to be perfect early.
The roster can change fast. The quarterback timeline cannot. If Las Vegas repeats its old cycle, Mendoza becomes another name in a new scheme. That is how franchises waste years.
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