The Las Vegas Raiders are hoping a new offensive mind can turn their fortunes around. Despite Klint Kubiak’s Seahawks ranking among the league’s best offenses, it’s worth remembering that Super Bowl rings don’t guarantee success. Kubiak now faces the daunting task of revitalizing a Raiders team that finished a dismal 3-14.
Key Takeaways
- Klint Kubiak directed a Seahawks offense that ranked eighth in the NFL in points per game and yards per game in 2025.
- The Raiders’ offensive line was graded as the 28th-best pass-blocking unit and the 30th-best run-blocking unit by Pro Football Focus last season.
- Las Vegas owns the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and are projected to draft Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza.
- Kubiak and his father, Gary Kubiak, will become the 10th father-son head-coaching duo in NFL history.
Can Klint Kubiak Fix the Raiders’ Offense?
The Raiders are banking on Klint Kubiak to bring a spark to their struggling offense. Kubiak, who most recently served as the Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator, is known for incorporating elements of his father Gary Kubiak’s offensive schemes, as well as those of Kyle Shanahan and Kevin Stefanski [https://www.nfl.com/]. The Seahawks offense in 2025, with Sam Darnold at quarterback, ranked eighth in the league in both points per game and yards per game. They were also second in the league in net yards per pass attempt [https://www.espn.com/nfl/standings]. Kubiak heavily utilized play-action passing, with the Seahawks leading the NFL in yards per attempt on such plays. “Kubiak understands how to get the most out of his personnel,” said ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky. “He’s a creative play-caller who isn’t afraid to take calculated risks.” Kubiak’s success in Seattle led to the Raiders hiring him as their coach.
However, Kubiak faces a significant challenge in Las Vegas. The Raiders are coming off a disastrous 3-14 season. Moreover, their offensive line struggled mightily, ranking near the bottom of the league in both pass-blocking and run-blocking [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2025.htm]. This will be a key area for Kubiak to address if he hopes to replicate his success in Seattle. The Raiders do have some promising young talent, including tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty. Bowers, despite an injury-impacted season, showed flashes of brilliance, while Jeanty proved to be a versatile weapon out of the backfield.
Will the Raiders Draft a Quarterback?
With the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, the Raiders are widely expected to select a quarterback. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the projected top pick. Mendoza led his team to a national championship and won the Heisman Trophy in 2025. The Raiders have struggled to find stability at the quarterback position for years, and Mendoza represents a potential long-term solution. While there is hype surrounding Mendoza, some analysts caution against anointing him as a savior just yet. “Mendoza has all the tools, but he’s still raw,” noted NFL Network draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. “He’ll need time to develop at the next level, and the Raiders need to be patient.”
Beyond the quarterback position, Kubiak will also need to address the situation with Maxx Crosby. Crosby, who was shelved late in the season due to a knee injury, publicly disagreed with the decision and expressed uncertainty about his future with the team. Re-establishing a strong relationship with Crosby, the Raiders’ defensive leader, will be crucial for Kubiak as he begins his tenure in Las Vegas. Kubiak may also look to bring in some defensive coaches from Seattle to help him build his staff.
Players/Teams Mentioned
- Las Vegas Raiders: Finished 3-14 in 2025. Hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- Seattle Seahawks: Offense ranked 8th in points and yards per game in 2025.
- Sam Darnold: Led the Seahawks to a top-10 offensive ranking in 2025; Pro Bowl selection.
- Brock Bowers: Young tight end with 112 receptions in 2024.
- Maxx Crosby: Raiders’ defensive leader; career-high 14 sacks in 2024.
What This Means
- For Raiders fans: The team’s Super Bowl LXI odds are currently +8000 according to DraftKings [https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/]. Patience will be needed as Kubiak rebuilds the offense.
- For fantasy football players: Keep an eye on Ashton Jeanty. He has the potential to be a valuable fantasy asset if he gets consistent touches.
- For Maxx Crosby: Building a strong relationship with the new coach could be key to his long-term future in Las Vegas.
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Source: www.cbssports.com
