With reports from Adam Schefter indicating that Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is likely to become the next head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, assuming both sides can finalize a deal, the conversation naturally shifts toward what comes next. While nothing is official until pen meets paper, and the 2026 NFL Draft remains months away, the early look ahead feels both valid and necessary.
Is Klint Kubiak and the Raiders a Match Made in Heaven for Fernando Mendoza?
At the center of that discussion sits the Raiders’ projected first overall pick and the quarterback who appears to be separating himself from the pack: Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana. If Las Vegas does land Kubiak and ultimately selects Mendoza, this pairing could represent a best-case scenario for both player development and organizational direction.
At just 38 years old, Klint Kubiak has already established himself as one of the brightest young offensive minds in the NFL. Age, in this case, truly is just a number. Coaching runs in his blood; his father, Gary Kubiak, spent decades as an NFL assistant and head coach, culminating in a Super Bowl title. That pedigree is evident in Klint’s approach to offensive structure, quarterback development, and game planning.
Perhaps the strongest recent example of Kubiak’s impact is his work with Sam Darnold. Coming off what many considered a career-best 2024 season in Minnesota, Darnold somehow took yet another step forward under Kubiak’s guidance.
According to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, he improved from a 77.6 mark (15th in the NFL) to a 78.7 in 2025, ranking 13th league-wide. The raw numbers back it up: 4,048 passing yards (top five in the NFL), 25 passing touchdowns (11th), and a 67.7% completion rate (eighth). That kind of year-over-year growth doesn’t happen by accident.
READ MORE: Top 100 2026 NFL Free Agent Rankings
The hidden key to Darnold’s success, and the reason Kubiak’s system could be ideal for Mendoza, is Kubiak’s commitment to the run game. Seattle ranked third in the NFL in rushing attempts with 507, and this wasn’t simply about being conservative.
Kubiak uses the run to dictate defensive behavior. Heavy rushing volume forces linebackers and zone defenders to cheat downhill, which in turn opens up clean, defined passing windows through play action. Just as importantly, Kubiak doesn’t abandon the run when it’s inefficient early. That patience keeps defenses honest and quarterbacks comfortable.
For a rookie quarterback entering the NFL, where defenders are faster, smarter, and more complex schematically, this approach is invaluable.
Fernando Mendoza Will Be Set Up for Immediate Success
Fernando Mendoza checks nearly every box you’d want in a modern NFL quarterback. At 6’5″, 225 pounds, he has prototype size, but he’s far from stiff. Mendoza combines quick feet, good pocket mobility, and an above-average arm with what might be his most impressive trait: elite processing ability.
He’s a cerebral quarterback who consistently wins pre-snap and post-snap, and evaluators have taken notice. PFSN’s consensus big board gives Mendoza a 90.69 grade, ranking him as the No. 6 overall prospect and the clear QB1 in the 2026 class.
Kubiak’s system would allow Mendoza to lean on structure early, defined reads, play action, and a strong run game, while gradually expanding his responsibilities. That matters even more considering the Raiders’ offensive line remains a question mark after last season.
If this vision becomes reality, expect Las Vegas to prioritize the trenches and the run game. Leaning on star running back Ashton Jeanty early would help stabilize the offense and ease Mendoza’s transition into the league. Protecting the quarterback and keeping the offense on schedule will be non-negotiable, but don’t expect Kubiak to compromise his identity to do it.
That consistency, philosophical and schematic, is exactly what young quarterbacks need.
A Kubiak-Mendoza partnership could fast-track the Raiders’ rebuild in a meaningful way. With a quarterback built to process at a high level and a head coach who knows how to develop the position without overwhelming it, Las Vegas could find itself back in the AFC West race sooner than many expect.
Nothing is official yet, coaching contracts still need signatures, and draft night is a long way off. But if this vision comes together, it may represent the foundation of the Raiders’ next competitive era, and perhaps their quickest path back to chasing division titles and Super Bowls.
