Kubiak can’t seal the agreement before the Super Bowl, as Seattle prepares to face the New England Patriots. Still, multiple reports and industry chatter have the Raiders targeting him to take over the franchise, should the plan proceed as anticipated.
Aqib Talib offered strong public support for the hire on the February 2 edition of “The Arena,” describing Kubiak as a “football bloodline guy” with leadership and a strong football mind. Talib emphasized Kubiak’s presence in the building and the resonance he could bring to a Las Vegas team with clear offensive talent.
There’s also speculation about who Kubiak would bring to Las Vegas to run the offense. The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen floated Seahawks OL coach John Benton as a prime candidate for the Raiders’ offensive coordinator role, suggesting Benton could receive the OC title and a substantial salary to match.
Raiders great Reggie Kinlaw has weighed in as well, saying the franchise appears to be entering a new era and that Kubiak would be ideal as a young head coach. Kinlaw noted the importance of developing a quarterback and hinted at the possibility of molding a young signal-caller like Fernando Mendoza under a fresh coaching regime.
As the Super Bowl window closes, all eyes will be on how Kubiak completes his supporting staff—offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and offensive line coach—and how the Raiders shape their offensive system under a potential new head coach.
