Seahawks offensive coordinator confirms promotion following 29-13 championship win over Patriots; Kubiak ends tenure with franchise after one successful season leading league-ranked offense
Klint Kubiak’s final game with the Seattle Seahawks couldn’t have gone better. The offensive coordinator confirmed immediately following the team’s 29-13 Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots that he is indeed leaving Seattle to become the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. The announcement came directly from the Levi’s Stadium field in Santa Clara, California, where Kubiak expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, declaring his eagerness for the Raiders challenge and confirming his departure with unmistakable clarity. His final game coordinating Seattle’s offense one that ranked among the league’s best during the regular season ended with a championship, providing a storybook conclusion to his singular season with the franchise.
The move represents a significant turning point for both franchises. For the Seahawks, it marks the end of a remarkably successful offensive partnership that helped elevate quarterback Sam Darnold’s performance and established Seattle as an offensive force capable of winning championships. For the Raiders, the hiring signals a significant investment in offensive expertise and a commitment to building around young talent on that side of the ball. Kubiak becomes Las Vegas’s fifth full-term head coach since 2021, inheriting a franchise in rebuilding mode following a disastrous 3-14 season under Pete Carroll.
The Raiders’ reported interest materialized into hiring
While the Raiders had not officially announced the hire when Kubiak made his confirmation, the move had been widely anticipated throughout the week. Kubiak was expected to be named the Raiders’ next head coach, but the deal couldn’t be finalized until after the Super Bowl since the Seahawks were still competing. The Seahawks’ championship run therefore delayed but didn’t diminish the inevitable coaching transition that had seemed destined for weeks.
Kubiak, the son of former Denver Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, brings significant pedigree and experience to Las Vegas. His family’s football legacy, combined with his own success in Seattle, positions him as a potentially transformative hire for a franchise desperate for stability and competent leadership. The Raiders organization appears to be banking on Kubiak’s ability to develop the offensive side of the ball while the defense rebuilds under new coaching direction.
One season of offensive excellence with Seahawks
Despite the brevity of his tenure in Seattle, Kubiak left an indelible mark on the Seahawks’ offensive production. During his single season coordinating the offense, Seattle ranked third in points per game (28.4), eighth in total yards (351.4), eighth in passing yards (228.1), and tied for tenth in rushing yards (123.3). The Seahawks also ranked thirteenth in offensive efficiency (50.76) and fifteenth in EPA (30.86) during the regular season respectable numbers that reflected a balanced, functional offense capable of supporting an elite defense.
The statistical success masked what was truly Kubiak’s greatest achievement: developing quarterback Sam Darnold into a championship-caliber performer. Darnold, who had struggled during his time in Minnesota before the Vikings let him walk in free agency, flourished under Kubiak’s system and guidance. The quarterback’s transformation from doubted free agent to Super Bowl winner represented the ultimate validation of Kubiak’s offensive system and his ability to elevate quarterback play.
Tributes from Seahawks players underscore value
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks’ star receiver, praised Him extensively after Sunday’s victory, characterizing him as a special coach who demonstrated genuine interest in understanding his players both professionally and personally. Smith-Njigba expressed honor at having played for Kubiak and acknowledged the coach’s commitment to winning at all costs.
Darnold similarly lauded Kubiak, calling him both a brilliant mind and a great person, expressing confidence that Kubiak would achieve great success in Las Vegas. The quarterback’s endorsement carried weight given his own transformation under Kubiak’s tutelage and system design.
What Kubiak inherits in Las Vegas
The Raiders present both challenge and opportunity for Him. Las Vegas went 3-14 this season before firing Pete Carroll, leaving the organization in significant disrepair. However, the Raiders do possess building blocks on offense: tight end Brock Bowers has established himself as a receiving threat, and running back Ashton Jeanty provides a dynamic ball carrier. The Raiders hold the top pick in the 2026 NFL draft, expected to select Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. That combination of immediate talent and draft capital provides with tools to construct a foundation for offensive success, though the overall organizational rebuild remains daunting.
