The Las Vegas Raiders officially announced on Monday that Klint Kubiak will be the franchise’s new head coach, committing to him with a five-year contract. This hire represents more than just a reset following a disappointing 3-14 season and the firing of Pete Carroll; it serves as a crucial test for the organization to determine if Las Vegas can establish continuity instead of relying on temporary fixes that quickly lose effectiveness.
Kubiak arrives with newfound credibility stemming from Seattle’s Super Bowl run and a regular season where the Seahawks demonstrated both efficiency and production under quarterback Sam Darnold. In his only season as offensive coordinator, Seattle ranked near the top of the league in scoring and finished in the top 10 for total offense, showcasing a balanced approach in both the passing and running games.
Following the Super Bowl, players publicly endorsed him, highlighting his intelligence, temperament, and ability to connect with them. These endorsements are significant because the Raiders’ most pressing need extends beyond schematic strategies; it revolves around establishing operational trust.
That is where the real work begins…
A news conference is theater. Building a staff is infrastructure. The Raiders have to move fast and get it right, because the league calendar will not slow down for a new coach. With the offseason already pushing into evaluation season, Kubiak’s first decisions will define how Las Vegas uses its biggest assets, including the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft.
Related: Inside the Maxx Crosby-Raiders offseason saga
The roster context is straightforward. Las Vegas has young building blocks on offense in tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty, and it is widely expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick. If that is the plan, Kubiak’s mandate becomes clear: create an environment where a young quarterback can function early without being asked to rescue a broken structure. That means protection, answers versus pressure, and a skill group that can win outside the numbers.
The risk is equally clear. Kubiak will be the Raiders’ fifth full-term coach since 2021, a churn rate that can sabotage even competent leadership. The margin for error is thin for a first-time head coach stepping into a franchise that has not consistently aligned personnel, coaching and player development.
If Las Vegas gets this right, the hire can stabilize the organization and give it a coherent offensive identity for the first time in years. If it gets it wrong, the Raiders will not just waste a season. They will waste the most valuable asset in football: time on a rookie quarterback contract.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images