LAS VEGAS — The confetti from Super Bowl LX has barely settled on the Levi’s Stadium turf, but Klint Kubiak isn’t taking a vacation. Just 72 hours after orchestrating the Seattle Seahawks’ dominant 29-13 demolition of the New England Patriots, Kubiak touched down in the desert to sign his contract as the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. The message from owner Mark Davis is loud, clear, and desperate: Fix this offense, and do it now.
Fresh Off the Podium
Kubiak arrives with the glint of the Lombardi Trophy still in his eyes. As the architect behind Seattle’s 14-3 season and the resurrection of quarterback Sam Darnold, Kubiak’s stock hit the stratosphere Sunday night. The Raiders didn’t wait. They swooped in to secure the 39-year-old offensive mastermind, handing him the keys to a franchise that just slogged through a brutal 3-14 campaign.
But Kubiak isn’t just inheriting a clipboard; he’s inheriting the golden ticket—the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Mendoza Mandate
While Kubiak played it cool at his introductory presser, the entire league is staring at one name: Fernando Mendoza. The Indiana Hoosiers quarterback didn’t just win the Heisman; he dragged a historically quiet program to a 16-0 record and a National Championship victory over Miami last month.
Mendoza’s stats are video-game silly: 41 touchdowns, 3,535 yards, and a completion percentage north of 68%. He fits the Kubiak mold perfectly—big arm, mobile enough to extend plays, and deadly accurate on play-action.
Yet, the new coach refused to tip his hand.
“The resources that the Raiders have—this building, having cap space, having the first pick—those all go into the decision. As far as who the first pick is gonna be, we have a lot of tape to watch before we determine who that’s gonna be. I’m excited to get into that process.” — Klint Kubiak, Raiders Head Coach
The Crosby Factor
The elephant in the room wasn’t the quarterback, but the defensive anchor. Maxx Crosby, the heartbeat of the Raiders’ defense, has been vocal about his frustration with the rebuilding cycle. Kubiak wasted zero time addressing the All-Pro edge rusher, shutting down trade rumors with force.
“We want him to be a part of our success going forward. There’s no doubt about that. He’s one of the best players in the NFL. It’s a no-brainer.” — Klint Kubiak
What’s Next: The War Room
The Raiders are officially on the clock. With the NFL Combine weeks away, the evaluation process kicks into high gear. Kubiak’s system relies on precision and timing—traits Mendoza displayed during Indiana’s miracle run. However, with other QB talents like Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss) and Ty Simpson (Alabama) hovering in the top 10, Vegas has options.
But let’s be real. You don’t hire the guy who fixed Sam Darnold unless you plan to draft a franchise saviour. The Raiders have the coach. Now, they need the quarterback.
