Kubiak’s Broncos ties run deep. He previously spent two stints in Denver—as an offensive assistant/quarterbacks coach (2016-18) and, in 2022, as the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, taking over play-calling duties late in the season. He is also the son of Gary Kubiak, the Super Bowl-winning Broncos head coach, which adds historical weight to the move.
From a football perspective, the hire signals a shift for the Raiders to a modern, offense-first approach. Kubiak’s work with Seattle’s offense helped elevate quarterback Sam Darnold to a Super Bowl-caliber level, a track record the Raiders hope to replicate as they shape their roster around his system.
The Raiders now have significant salary-cap flexibility and the top pick in the draft, positioning them to pursue a rapid rebuild around a potentially young, prolific offense. Pairing the No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza with players like Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers could provide a dynamic, youthful core to accelerate progress under Kubiak.
For Denver, the new development intensifies the scrutiny on Sean Payton and Bo Nix. With cap space and a window to build around Nix on his rookie deal, the Broncos face added pressure to capitalize quickly as the AFC West remains highly competitive.
The outlook across the division is shaping up to be a tighter race. With Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, a healthier Chargers, and a rising Raiders club under Kubiak, Denver must respond swiftly to avoid letting the rival ascend. The ripple effects of this coaching shift will be felt throughout the AFC West this offseason.
