TC Martin

Raiders Try to Get it Right This Time 

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Las Vegas Raiders owner, Mark Davis sat in the Press Conference Room at the team's headquarters on Tuesday hoping this will be the one.  "It's trying to get it right," he said. "I haven't done that yet. I'm thinking this time we do have it right."   

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Davis has been through this process before.  Eight times to be exact from his first hiring in 2012 with Dennis Allen. That was followed by many more hirings and firings including six since the Raiders relocated to Las Vegas in 2020.  Five of the eight were first time head coaches.    

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The Raiders interviewed 15 candidates and took their sweet time in the process becoming the last organization of a record 10 teams that were looking to fill that particular position this offseason. They waited until after the Super Bowl to announce the signing of Kubiak.  Most of the Raiders candidates had no head coaching experience.  

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Kubiak, 38 has something in common with the Raiders head coaching turnover.  He will join his sixth team in past eight years.  He started his career with Minnesota as their quarterbacks coach in 2019.  He was elevated to Offensive Coordinator in 2021 but was let go. He then went to Denver and San Francisco as the Passing Game Coordinator for one season each.  He was then hired as New Orleans Offensive Coordinator in 2024 before holding that same position with Seatle this season.  

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The hiring of Kubiak is somewhat curious because the Raiders are taking a chance on another young first year head coach.  Kubiak's star rose this season as the play caller for the Super Bowl winning Seahawks and his last name carries weight as the son of former Head Coach, Gary Kubiak who had two stints in charge of the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos. 

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For the first time in a long time, the Silver and Black have some assets.  They own the top pick in this year's draft and a total of 10 selections overall.  Seven of the 10 will be in Rounds 4 through 7 so that may not necessarily pay dividends.  They also have plenty salary cap room to spend money on free agents so that should be the approach for a hopeful quicker turnaround. 

 

However, they have numerous needs to improve a team that was the worst in the NFL this season with 3-14 record.  Even if Las Vegas selects consensus top pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza they must address the offensive line and look to replace as many as four via the draft and free agency. The team is also in need of wide receiver help and play makers on defense. 

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There is optimism in Raider Nation.  Hopefully this time they get it right.