Things are starting to come into focus for the Las Vegas Raiders’ future. With the franchise widely expected to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, the final piece of the puzzle is finding the right head coach to guide their potential franchise cornerstone.
That search may already be over.
Who Does an Ex-Chiefs QB Think Would Be Perfect for Raiders’ Future QB Fernando Mendoza?
Amid reports that the Raiders are zeroing in on Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as their next head coach, former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel believes the pairing could create the ideal developmental environment for Mendoza and lay the foundation for a new era in Raiders football.
With the Raiders set to hire Kubiak once the Super Bowl concludes, Daniel had some thoughts on the hire, signing high praise for the coach, and his potential fit with Mendoza.
Daniel expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I love this so much, I love the fit between Fernando Mendoza and Klint Kubiak,” referring to the nearly finalized deal for Kubiak to become the next Raiders head coach, pending no unforeseen issues.
“You look at how Fernando Mendoza plays. Quick, in the shotgun, a lot of RPOs, everything like that.” Daniel said, comparing Mendoza’s style of play to Kubiak’s offensive style.
Kubiak has been known to surprise opponents with his offensive brilliance. Before having wild success with Sam Darnold and the Seahawks, leading to a Super Bowl appearance, Kubiak succeeded with Derek Carr and the Saints in 2024, as well as finding success as the quarterbacks coach for Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers in 2023. It is clear Kubiak picked up a lot under Shanahan’s wing.
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Daniel went on to picture the success Kubiak could have with the Raiders, listing the weapons at his disposal alongside potentially Mendoza at quarterback.
“Then you look at Ashton Jeanty, you look at Brock Bowers.” Daniel brought up two former first-round picks who could flourish alongside Kubiak and Mendoza.
“Now they have to go and solidify the offensive line. If they go and solidify the offensive line, I think they’re going to be good,” Daniel said, pointing to one glaring issue the Raiders had last season as a potential Achilles heel during the rookie seasons of Mendoza and head coach Kubiak.
According to PFSN’s metrics, the Raiders’ offensive line was only better than the Browns’ over the 2025 season. The Raiders posted a 53.4 (F) in PFSN’s OL Impact score in 2025; the position is clearly a priority one to upgrade in the offseason, especially as they prepare to select a Heisman-winning quarterback first overall.
Daniel finished by expressing how excited Raiders fans should be about this coaching fit and the team’s future overall. “Look, I know they play in the AFC West, I know it’s not great, but the fit between Klint Kubiak, Tom Brady, Fernando Mendoza, all that, its excllent. Raiders fans, you should be so happy.” Daniel says.
With the franchise all but set to lock in their next head coach and future face of the franchise at quarterback, the future is looking bright in Vegas. Kubiak and Mendoza are set to join forces with high expectations, as fans look to see their Raiders crawl from out of the AFC’s basement into the light at the top of the standings in the coming years.
