SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The worst-kept secret of Super Bowl LX Opening Night isn’t the game plan; it’s the man calling the plays. While the Seattle Seahawks prepare for Sunday’s title bout against the New England Patriots, reports confirm the Las Vegas Raiders are finalizing a deal to hire Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as their next head coach.
According to NFL Network insiders, the Raiders have zeroed in on the 38-year-old play-caller to lead their rebuild, though no official pact can be signed until the confetti falls at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8. For now, Kubiak is deflecting the noise, but the ink is effectively drying on his move to Sin City.
Kubiak’s stock has skyrocketed following a masterclass 2025 campaign. Tasked with revitalizing a stagnant unit, he transformed the Seahawks into an offensive juggernaut. Seattle jumped from 18th in scoring (2024) to 3rd in the league (28.4 PPG) this season, while finishing 8th in total yards.
His impact is best measured by the resurgence of quarterback Sam Darnold. Reunited with Kubiak—who served as his passing game coordinator in San Francisco—Darnold piloted Seattle to a 14-3 record and the NFC’s top seed. The scheme also unlocked receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who shattered franchise records with a stunning 1,793 receiving yards on 119 catches.
“I’m coaching the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, and that’s really all I’m thinking about. I’m ready to coach the Super Bowl. I’m excited about this week, excited about this game.” — Klint Kubiak, Seahawks Offensive Coordinator
“He wakes up at insane hours. He gets to the facility at 4, 4:30 in the morning, and he’s there later than anyone. He’s just a grinder… The things that I learned when I was with Klint in ’23 just schematically and then getting to learn from him as a coach… he’s very honest.” — Sam Darnold, Seahawks Quarterback
If the deal finalizes as expected, Kubiak will inherit a Raiders team desperate for stability but armed with massive resources. Las Vegas holds the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, putting Kubiak in prime position to handpick his franchise quarterback—with Indiana standout Fernando Mendoza heavily linked to the top spot.
The Raiders also boast an estimated $110 million in cap space, giving the new regime ample ammunition to reshape the roster. Kubiak’s specific brand of the Shanahan-style wide zone offense is exactly the identity Mark Davis has been hunting for to compete in the AFC West.
Despite the swirling rumors, the immediate focus remains on the New England Patriots. General Manager John Schneider admitted the situation is “bittersweet,” noting that while they are losing a key architect, it proves Seattle is a destination where coaches flourish.
History suggests coaches in this position can struggle with the dual focus, but Kubiak’s track record of “grinding” suggests the game plan for Sunday won’t suffer. The Seahawks are currently 4.5-point favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, a final parting gift Kubiak hopes to deliver before trading the Pacific Northwest rain for the desert heat.
