Lead: Sources say Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Kubiak, 38, intends to finalize a deal to become the Las Vegas Raiders’ next head coach after the Super Bowl. The report, relayed to Adam Schefter, follows meetings this weekend between Kubiak and representatives of the Raiders and Arizona Cardinals. The agreement cannot be completed until the Super Bowl concludes, when Seattle will face the New England Patriots next Sunday. If finalized, Kubiak would be Las Vegas’s fifth full-term head coach since 2021.
Key Takeaways
- Kubiak, 38, is expected to negotiate and try to reach terms with the Las Vegas Raiders after the Super Bowl, according to reporting by Adam Schefter and ESPN sources.
- Kubiak interviewed with both the Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals over the weekend and is one of 15 candidates who interviewed with Las Vegas.
- Las Vegas general manager John Spytek has led the search with close collaboration from minority owner Tom Brady.
- Seattle’s offense under Kubiak ranked third in points (28.4 per game) and eighth in total yards (351.4) in the most recent regular season; offensive efficiency was 50.76 and EPA totaled 30.86.
- Those figures represent a marked improvement from 2024 under former offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, when Seattle averaged 22.1 points and posted an EPA of minus 0.24.
- The Raiders fired coach Pete Carroll after a 3–14 season and are entering a rebuild but possess significant salary-cap space and the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft.
- Las Vegas already has offensive building blocks including tight end Brock Bowers, rookie RB Ashton Jeanty, and is widely expected to select Indiana QB and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza with the top pick.
Background
The Raiders parted ways with coach Pete Carroll following a 3–14 season that produced one of the franchise’s weakest offensive showings. Las Vegas finished at or near the bottom in multiple offensive categories, endured a 10-game losing streak, and dismissed offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon. That upheaval prompted an extensive coaching search in which Las Vegas has pursued multiple candidates and prioritized a reset on offense.
Kubiak’s profile rose quickly over the past season after he was hired as Seattle’s offensive coordinator. He is the son of longtime NFL coach Gary Kubiak and would be the sixth different franchise Kubiak has coached for across six seasons. His recent résumé includes one year in Seattle, 2024 as New Orleans’s offensive coordinator, 2023 as San Francisco’s passing game coordinator, 2022 as Denver’s passing game coordinator, and three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings from 2019–2021.
Main Event
According to league reporting, Kubiak met with Raiders officials Saturday and intends to work toward a contract with Las Vegas after the Super Bowl. The hiring process cannot be completed while the Seahawks remain active in postseason play; final signatures are deferred until the Super Bowl concludes next Sunday, when Seattle faces New England.
Las Vegas general manager John Spytek has overseen the interview process, working closely with minority owner Tom Brady, who has been actively involved in the search. Kubiak was one of approximately 15 candidates interviewed by the Raiders as the club sought a coach who can rebuild the offense quickly.
The Arizona Cardinals also met with Kubiak this weekend; with Kubiak reportedly off the market, the Cardinals are expected to focus on their remaining finalists: Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, and former Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris.
Analysis & Implications
If Kubiak signs with Las Vegas, the Raiders will be betting on a young play-caller who helped lift Seattle’s offense into the NFL’s upper tier this season. The statistical jump under Kubiak—moving to third in points and top-10 in total yards—suggests he can design and implement a modern, balanced attack, an asset for a Raiders roster that already has promising pieces on offense.
From a personnel and cap standpoint, Las Vegas enters the process advantaged: the team projects to hold the second-most salary-cap space in free agency and controls the 2026 No. 1 draft pick. That combination gives the new coach latitude to add key free agents and a franchise quarterback such as the widely rumored Indiana prospect Fernando Mendoza, easing some pressure on immediate roster construction.
However, converting coaching success from one organization to another is not guaranteed. Kubiak’s offensive gains came working with established talent in Seattle and in one short season; he will face the task of rebuilding a losing culture, integrating younger players, and overseeing staff hires while operating under high expectations from ownership and a fan base demanding rapid improvement.
Comparison & Data
| Metric (Regular Season) | Seattle (2025) | Seattle (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game (rank) | 28.4 (3rd) | 22.1 (18th) |
| Total yards per game (rank) | 351.4 (8th) | — (data: lower) |
| Rushing yards per game (rank) | 123.3 (T-10th) | 95.7 (28th) |
| Offensive efficiency | 50.76 (13th) | 43.35 (19th) |
| EPA (season) | 30.86 (15th) | −0.24 (18th) |
The table highlights a clear year-over-year improvement across scoring, yards and advanced metrics after Kubiak’s arrival. While raw totals do not prove causation, the magnitude of the jump—particularly in points per game and rushing output—supports the view that scheme and play-calling were meaningful contributors.
Reactions & Quotes
Media reporting and team sources framed the progression as part of a fast-moving search; the Raiders’ internal review emphasized finding a coach who can rebuild the offense quickly. Local fan and analyst response varied, with optimism about offensive potential tempered by questions about coaching experience as a head coach.
“A deal cannot be finalized until after the Super Bowl,” sources told Adam Schefter, underscoring the timing constraint while Seattle remains in postseason play.
ESPN/Adam Schefter (reporting)
“Kubiak is among 15 candidates who interviewed with Las Vegas,” per league sources involved in the search, a sign of how expansive the Raiders’ process has been this cycle.
ESPN sources (league reporting)
Unconfirmed
- The exact terms or compensation of any prospective contract between Kubiak and the Raiders remain unreported and unfinalized.
- It is not confirmed whether Tom Brady will take an operational or advisory role beyond consulting on the coaching search.
- Whether the Raiders’ reported plan includes immediate staff hires from Kubiak’s Seattle group has not been verified.
Bottom Line
The reporting that Kubiak intends to pursue a deal with Las Vegas signals that the Raiders are moving quickly to install an offensive-minded head coach who delivered measurable gains in Seattle. The team’s cap flexibility, the presence of young offensive talent, and the No. 1 pick create a favorable environment for a turnaround if the hiring is completed and the front office executes in free agency and the draft.
Key uncertainties remain: contract specifics, staff construction, and whether Kubiak’s single season as a coordinating play-caller translates into long-term head-coaching success. The situation merits close attention through the Super Bowl week and the opening of the coaching-immediate free-agency period.
Sources
- ESPN — sports media report citing Adam Schefter and league/team sources (reporting).