Raiders Near Deal to Promote Seahawks’ Klint Kubiak to Head Coach

Updated 2026-02-02 01:46:25+00:00 (8 articles)

Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)

Seahawks' Klint Kubiak in 2nd round of head coach interviews with Raiders and Cardinals (Credit: via ap) Source Full size
Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)

Raiders working on deal to hire Klint Kubiak as head coach, AP source says (Credit: via ap) Source Full size
Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)

Raiders working on deal to hire Klint Kubiak as head coach, AP source says (Credit: via ap) Source Full size

Kubiak Completes Second Interview With Raiders Klint Kubiak, Seattle’s offensive coordinator, met with Las Vegas on Saturday for a second interview, solidifying his status as the franchise’s leading candidate [1][2]. The meeting followed an earlier interview earlier in the week, marking the second round of head‑coach discussions for both the Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals [2]. Sources describe the interview as “extensive,” focusing on offensive philosophy and quarterback development [1]. Kubiak’s collaboration with Sam Darnold in Seattle has heightened his appeal to rebuilding teams [2].

Raiders Target Rebuilding Around Top Draft Pick Las Vegas finished the 2025 season 3‑14, its third consecutive losing year and the worst record in the league [1][2]. The club holds the No. 1 overall pick and is expected to select Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, Indiana’s national‑championship quarterback [1][2]. With nearly $90 million in salary‑cap space—the league’s second‑largest amount—the Raiders plan to surround Mendoza with talent [1]. Hiring Kubiak would continue a pattern of rapid turnover, as he would become the third head coach in three seasons [1].

Ownership and Front Office Direct Coaching Search Owner Mark Davis has tasked minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek with supervising the Raiders’ football operations and coaching hunt [1]. Brady publicly praised Kubiak during the NFC championship broadcast, signaling strong internal support [1]. The front office views Kubiak’s offensive expertise as a catalyst for turning the franchise around [1].

Public Announcement Deferred Until After Super Bowl NFL rules prohibit any head‑coach announcement until after the league championship game on Feb. 8, when the Seahawks face the New England Patriots [1][2]. Both the Raiders and Cardinals must wait for the Super Bowl to disclose any hiring decision [2]. The delay ensures compliance with league policy and avoids influencing the upcoming championship [1].

Sources

Timeline

2002 – The Raiders win their last playoff game in a Super Bowl victory, beginning a 24‑year postseason drought that frames the franchise’s recent struggles [7].

2020 – The franchise relocates to Las Vegas, launching an era that already sees five full‑time head coaches in six seasons, underscoring chronic instability [5].

2021 – Las Vegas reaches the postseason for only the second time since the move, offering a brief glimpse of competitiveness amid broader underperformance [7].

2024 – The Atlanta Falcons fire head coach Raheem Morris after two seasons and also dismiss GM Terry Fontenot, exemplifying the league’s “Black Monday” pattern of post‑season turnover [1].

Jan 4, 2026 – The Raiders signal a rebuild after a 2‑14 (ultimately 3‑14) season, with owner Mark Davis leaning on minority owner Tom Brady to help conduct a wide‑net coaching search, as reported by Jordan Schultz [3].

Jan 5, 2026 – On “Black Monday,” Las Vegas fires Pete Carroll after one season (3‑14 record) and announces that GM John Spytek and Tom Brady will lead the coaching hunt, with Spytek saying he bears “a ton of responsibility” for the outcome [5][8].

Jan 5, 2026 – The Browns dismiss Kevin Stefanski, the Cardinals fire Jonathan Gannon, and the Falcons part ways with Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot, raising NFL head‑coaching vacancies to six and prompting league‑wide searches [1][4].

Jan 5, 2026 – The Raiders retain the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft and project over $100 million in cap space, giving the incoming coach flexibility to build around a potential franchise quarterback such as Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza [5].

Jan 20, 2026 – ESPN executives speculate that a trade for Lamar Jackson could “instantly solve the Raiders’ quarterback problems,” though they note contract protections and cap constraints make the scenario uncertain [2].

Feb 1, 2026 – Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak completes a second‑round interview with the Raiders and meets with the Cardinals, becoming the leading candidate for both rebuilding clubs, while league rules bar any public announcement until after the Super Bowl on Feb 8 [7].

Feb 2, 2026 – Sources say the Raiders are close to finalizing a deal to promote Kubiak to head coach, with Tom Brady praising him during the NFC championship broadcast; the hire would make Kubiak the third head coach in three seasons and give him near‑$90 million in cap space to develop quarterback Fernando Mendoza [6].

Feb 8, 2026 (future) – The NFL’s Super Bowl in Santa Clara will trigger the earliest possible public announcement of the Raiders’ new head coach, as league policy requires waiting until after the championship game [7].

April 2026 (future) – The Raiders enter the NFL Draft holding the first overall selection, positioning them to select Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza or trade the pick, a decision that will shape the franchise’s direction under the yet‑to‑be‑named head coach [5][6].