The National Football League tied a single-year record with 10 head-coaching vacancies this offseason. Before January draws to a close, eight have been filled with just the Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals left standing in the NFL coaching carousel.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Raiders and Cardinals are “bot waiting to talk to” Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Each club is holding in-person interviews with Kubiak on Saturday and he seems to be at the top of their target lists.
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Reports throughout the offseason have indicated that Las Vegas wanted a young, offensive-minded coach. Kubiak, 38, certainly fits that description. He was already viewed as a top NFL head-coaching candidate at the end of the regular season, and his work in the postseason has only strengthened his resume.
In terms of each job’s appeal, Las Vegas would seem to be the overwhelming favorite. The Raiders can offer Kubiak the opportunity to run an offense with Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers, and quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Those are three building blocks for a well-balanced attack, with Kubiak demonstrating in Seattle that he can orchestrate an explosive passing game (first half of the season) and a highly effective ground game (second half of the season).
Arizona does not have as much to offer. The Cardinals are expected to trade Kyler Murray this offseason, and with no clear-cut No. 2 quarterback prospect worthy of a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Kubiak would be taking over an offense that has Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Michael Wilson but no proven options at quarterback or running back.
Las Vegas also has a better track record in terms of what it is willing to spend on a head coach and his coaching staff. All of those factors suggest that if Kubiak accepts any job this offseason, it will be to become the next Raiders head coach.
