The Raiders’ recent process reflected a prior pursuit of Ben Johnson last offseason, before Johnson joined the Chicago Bears. Las Vegas pivoted to Carroll then, and this offseason the club has shown patience with Kubiak amid their playoff run, with minority owner Tom Brady playing a notable role in the hiring dialogue.
Brady indicated on the Let’s Go! podcast that Kubiak has tailored the Seahawks for their strengths, pointing to last week’s win over a talented Rams defense as evidence of the approach it will take in Santa Clara this weekend—emphasizing success across all three phases.
A notable factor in the Raiders’ favor is their No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, widely expected to be Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Brady praised Mendoza’s leadership qualities, noting how his Heisman-winning aura and team-first perspective signal a strong foundation for his potential NFL leadership.
Kubiak, for his part, declined to discuss the Raiders job publicly, stating he is focused on coaching the Seahawks in the Super Bowl and on the upcoming game rather than speculation about future employment.
Sam Darnold, the Seahawks quarterback, raved about Kubiak’s coaching—describing him as a grinder who wakes early, brings a relentless work ethic, and fosters an honest, respectful environment that his players appreciate.
As the Raiders pursue a modern, offense-driven direction, the timeline for a formal decision remains tied to the Super Bowl outcome and Brady’s involvement in the process. This summary draws from reporting first published by Heavy Sports.
