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Raiders narrow down head coach search to two primary targets
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- Raiders narrow down head coach search to two primary targets
A deliberate-and-detailed Raiders coaching search has been narrowed to two primary targets: Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Broncos quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Davis Webb .
The heavy offensive lean should not come as a surprise. The Raiders hold the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and will almost certainly select Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza. Club decision-makers, including minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek, who are leading the search, have prioritized an offensive mind and the development of Mendoza in their next head coach.
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Kubiak is considered the favorite after impressing the Raiders with his work with the Seahawks' high-powered offense, particularly his elevation of quarterback Sam Darnold . That allure was strengthened after Kubiak called a near-perfect game in the Seahawks' 31-27 win over the Rams in the NFC Championship game last Sunday.
One of the Las Vegas Raiders coaching finalists is Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak (above). AP
Brady worked the game as the lead color analyst for Fox NFL. The firsthand look he got at Kubiak's work clearly helped Kubiak's case.
Brady and Spytek will meet with Kubiak on Saturday in Seattle . The 38-year-old Kubiak interviewed virtually with the Raiders two weeks ago during the top-seeded Seahawks' playoff bye week.
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It's shaping up as a busy Saturday for Kubiak, who will also meet in person with the Cardinals about their head coach vacancy. He and the Seahawks take off for their Super Bowl matchup against the Patriots on Sunday.
Kubiak's Super Bowl involvement prohibits the Raiders or the Cardinals from formalizing an official agreement with him to be their next coach until after the game.
They can, however, come to a verbal agreement.
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That was the case last year when the Saints had a handshake agreement with then-Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore but had to wait until the conclusion of the 2025 Super Bowl before officially hiring him as their head coach
Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Davis Webb (above) is the other Raiders finalist. for the NY POST
The 49ers did the same in 2017 when they hired Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to be their head coach.
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The Raiders are also intrigued by the 31-year-old Webb, who is considered a lock to eventually be a head coach but has plenty of room to grow.
A journeyman quarterback for six seasons before retiring to pursue a coaching career in 2023, Webb has been an NFL assistant for three seasons, all with the Broncos under Sean Payton.
His lack of experience — he has not been a coordinator or play-caller — is cause for some concern.
Kubiak is considered the favorite after impressing the Raiders with his work with the Seahawks' high-powered offense. AP
The Raiders are also intrigued by the 31-year-old Webb, who is considered a lock to eventually be a head coach AP
The Raiders, however, have time on their side when it comes to growing with a young coach. They understand the significant runway involved in their rebuild and have no illusions about being immediate playoff contenders.
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They see the merits of teaming Webb and Mendoza, letting their young head coach and quarterback grow together.
For now, though, Webb is playing a waiting game as the Raiders sort things out. Whether he has the patience to let that play out — especially with the Broncos and Giants potentially offering offensive coordinator jobs — remains to be seen.
He has his next move to think about, and the futures of whatever assistant coaches he has in mind for a potential Raiders coaching staff. Will Webb be OK remaining on hold until the Raiders and Kubiak make their decisions? And keeping his potential staff on hold, too?
It creates a bit of a high-wire act for the Raiders, who need a solid Plan B in place until they meet with Kubiak on Saturday. At that point, they can get a real sense for where Kubiak's head is and a better feel for his fit as their next head coach. If not, they would almost assuredly turn to Webb.
But will he even be available at that point?
