Klint Kubiak’s first season as the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator has doubled as an audition for his next job.
While the Seahawks prepare to face the Patriots in Super Bowl 60, multiple reports and on-the-record comments from inside the organization indicate this will be Kubiak’s final game calling plays for Seattle before he takes over as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The 38-year-old has become one of this hiring cycle’s hottest candidates after overseeing a record-setting Seahawks offense in 2025.
Raiders All-In On Hiring Klint Kubiak From Seahawks
Signs of the Raiders’ push for Kubiak have been building for weeks. The News Tribune reported that Las Vegas is “zeroing in” on Kubiak to replace Pete Carroll after the Raiders’ 3-14 season, noting that the hiring cannot become official under NFL rules until Feb. 9, the day after Super Bowl 60.
According to that report, Raiders owner Mark Davis met Kubiak for dinner Friday night at a Bellevue restaurant and again on Saturday in the Seattle area, as part of a second interview. Kubiak also met with the Arizona Cardinals, but Las Vegas has emerged as his expected destination.
Kubiak’s resume in Seattle strengthened his case. In his lone year as offensive coordinator, he and quarterback Sam Darnold drove an attack that set a franchise record for points in the regular season while running the ball 50% of the time.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba became an All-Pro and led the league with 1,793 receiving yards, while Darnold made the Pro Bowl. ESPN detailed how Kubiak’s scheme married an outside-zone run game with deep play-action shots, citing a 61-yard touchdown to Smith-Njigba against Jacksonville as a prime example of how the staff used run looks to spring explosive passes.
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Kubiak has been careful not to confirm the Raiders’ job publicly during Super Bowl week. At Opening Night, he reiterated that he is focused on the game and would address his future after Sunday.
“I can just tell you that I’m all in on the Seahawks. I’m all in on this game,” he said, via The News Tribune’s coverage. “All those, whatever comes next, we will deal with that on Monday. I’m just focusing on playing this game and coaching this game. I’ve been working my whole life to get to coach in this game.”
But between his interview schedule, the reported agreement in place and the way both teams are operating, the expectation around the league is that he will be announced as the Raiders’ new head coach once the NFL’s window opens.
Seahawks HC Appears To Confirm Klint Kubiak Will Be Raiders-Bound After Super Bowl
Inside the Seahawks’ building, Kubiak’s departure is being treated as a near certainty, even while formal announcements remain on hold. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald “all but confirmed” that Kubiak is leaving for Las Vegas when asked about the situation at Super Bowl Opening Night.
Speaking from the main podium in San Jose, Macdonald framed it as part of the natural progression for successful assistants on a winning staff.
“Our coaches, as they get these opportunities to take it to the next level, you’re happy for them,” Macdonald said. “It’s a little bittersweet,” he added of Kubiak, “because he such a great person and great coach. We have a lot of great coaches and those people are going to have opportunities, as well.”
Macdonald also emphasized earlier in the postseason that creating an environment where assistants can develop and attract interest is part of his vision for the program, even if it means constant turnover at key positions like offensive coordinator.
The News Tribune outlined what Kubiak’s exit means for Seattle’s staff. Macdonald and general manager John Schneider would be seeking their third offensive coordinator in as many seasons, following Ryan Grubb’s one-year stint and now Kubiak’s expected jump.
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There is also the possibility of Kubiak taking assistants with him to Las Vegas. Names mentioned as candidates to join him include offensive line coach John Benton, run-game coordinator Rick Dennison and quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko. All three could also be in-house options for promotion if the Seahawks prioritize continuity with Darnold.
Kubiak is expected to leave Seattle after Super Bowl 60 to become the Raiders’ next head coach. The Seahawks, meanwhile, are already bracing for another major offensive transition once their championship push in Santa Clara is complete.
