SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Klay Kubiak is staying put. The San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator officially removed himself from head coaching consideration on Saturday, shutting down interest from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders to remain on Kyle Shanahan’s staff for the 2026 season.
Choosing Continuity Over the Big Chair
The news broke via Dianna Russini of The Athletic just as the NFL coaching carousel shifted into high gear. While the Raiders and Steelers both sought to interview the 37-year-old rising star, Kubiak reportedly signaled a preference to keep building the Niners’ system alongside Shanahan. This decision provides a massive sigh of relief for a San Francisco front office that already watched defensive coordinator Robert Saleh bolt to become the head coach of the Tennessee Titans earlier this month.
Kubiak’s stock rose sharply after a 2025 campaign that tested the depth of the roster. Despite Brock Purdy missing 8 games and George Kittle sidelined for 6, the 49ers offense still finished 7th in total yards and 10th in scoring. Kubiak’s ability to keep the unit productive while cycling through backup Mac Jones proved he has the chops to lead, but he clearly feels there is unfinished business in the Bay Area.
“He’s our offensive coordinator. Why would you let him be somebody else’s offensive coordinator? He calls a lot of plays here and he’s exactly where he needs to be.” — Kyle Shanahan, 49ers Head Coach
What This Means for the 49ers in 2026
Retaining Kubiak means the 49ers avoid a total brain drain on the coaching staff. With Saleh gone, losing both coordinators in a single cycle could have stunted the development of younger weapons like Ricky Pearsall. Instead, the Niners keep the offensive architecture intact. This stability is vital as the team looks to upgrade an offensive line that Steve Young recently labeled as the unit’s biggest hurdle to a Super Bowl return.
The fallout was immediate in Pittsburgh. Shortly after Kubiak’s withdrawal, the Steelers pivoted and finalized a deal to hire former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. For Kubiak, another year of seasoning under the Shanahan tree likely sets him up as the premier candidate in the 2027 cycle, especially if a healthy Purdy puts up MVP-caliber numbers next fall.
