NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported that the Cardinals were prepared to pay Kubiak generously to join the staff, but the former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator ultimately chose the Las Vegas Raiders over Arizona. The franchise’s willingness to spend on a head coach and staff did not sway Kubiak, who opted for the Raiders.
Arizona’s pursuit of Kubiak was described as aggressive, with at least some involved saying the Cardinals would have done whatever it took to land him but that the move was not particularly difficult for Kubiak to accept. One general manager familiar with the process suggested Arizona would have waited as long as needed before pivoting.
The Cardinals had previously hosted a second interview with LaFleur after the NFC Championship, including a dinner with team brass, but he left Arizona without a contract. Within 24 hours of that process, news broke that Kubiak would accept the Raiders’ offer, prompting Arizona to promptly shift its focus and finalize LaFleur as head coach.
A key factor in Kubiak’s decision, according to the report, was the challenge of landing a first-time head coach role in a difficult environment. Arizona has embarked on another rebuild and is likely to move on from Kyler Murray, adding another layer of complexity to the job for any prospective coach.
The Raiders, meanwhile, appear positioned for a new era as they hold the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft and have established ties to the Kubiak family. The Cardinals’ decision to hire LaFleur closes one chapter of the search while opening expectations for a fresh start in Arizona, with both teams hoping their new hires yield a winning trajectory.
