The Las Vegas Raiders are hoping for a fresh start as they hired Klint Kubiak as head coach in February 2026 on a five-year deal. The move came after Kubiak helped guide the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl title as offensive coordinator.
Now, Las Vegas expects him to bring that same offensive success to a franchise searching for a playoff breakthrough. Kubiak can build the offense around Ashton Jeanty and first-team All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers.
However, before that, franchise legend and Super Bowl champion Marcus Allen pointed to one issue that cannot carry into the new season.
Marcus Allen Urges Klint Kubiak and Raiders to Focus on Ashton Jeanty’s Progress
Speaking about the star running back, Allen explained, protecting Jeanty has to become the offense’s top priority.
“I talk to Ashton every now and then,” Allen said on the NFL Network. “I haven’t seen him lately, though, but of course, you know the one Achilles’ heel is penetration, and yeah, I think he got hit in the backfield, as you alluded to, more than any back in the league last year. That is something that we can’t allow to happen.”
Jeanty suffered a late-game ankle injury in Week 12 but continued producing at a high level.
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Still, he delivered an outstanding season despite dealing with difficult circumstances. He finished with 975 rushing yards, the most among NFL rookies, while also leading that group with 1,321 scrimmage yards.
Those numbers become even more impressive considering he ran behind one of the league’s least effective offensive lines. According to PFN’s Team OL Impact Metric, Las Vegas’ offensive line ranked last in the league with an impact score of 57.9.
If the silver and black hope to return to the postseason, exposing their featured back to constant punishment cannot remain part of the formula. So Allen feels Kubiak must give Jeanty cleaner rushing lanes and maximize his explosiveness.
“We have to create some holes for him, and I think obviously when he gets a little bit of an opening, he can be special. And I think when you reflect back on last year, despite all that, I think he had a pretty good year. He showed a lot of promise, so I’m looking forward to him doing well this year as well.”
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However, Kubiak’s track record suggests he can unleash Jeanty next season. Under his play-calling, Seattle’s Super Bowl-winning offense scored a franchise-record number of regular-season points. Jaxon Smith-Njigba earned first-team All-Pro honors after leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards, while Sam Darnold turned his career around with a Pro Bowl campaign, and running back Kenneth Walker III won the Super Bowl MVP.
Now, Raider Nation hopes Kubiak can bring that same formula to Allegiant Stadium. And Kubiak is also optimistic about taking on the HC role.
“The resources the Raiders have, this building, having cap space, having the 1st pick, that all goes into the decision,” Kubiak said in February, revealing what influenced him to take this job.”
Since then, the silver and black have started building toward that vision. They selected Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick and believe he can become the franchise quarterback. They also added veteran Kirk Cousins to provide experience and potentially open the season as the starter.
That combination gives Kubiak flexibility while creating an ideal environment for Jeanty and the rest of the offense to thrive.
