Klint Kubiak went from lifting a Lombardi Trophy as offensive coordinator of the Seahawks to being introduced as the 25th head coach in Raiders history in less than 48 hours.
Bookended on stage by Raiders greats Mike Haynes, Howie Long, Marcus Allen, Jim Plunkett, Charles Woodson and Rich Gannon, Kubiak was asked how he'll handle taking over such a storied franchise, one with a rich but distant history of championships needing to dig out of a much more recent culture of futility.
"It's not daunting at all, it's a blessing," Kubiak said. "This is where you want to be."
The rookie head coach is taking over a club that has reached the playoffs just twice since losing the Super Bowl to conclude the 2002 season. Las Vegas is already on its fifth full-time head coach this decade and just finished with the worst record in the NFL. Yet the challenge facing Kubiak enticed him, and the draw of working under general manager John Spytek and limited partner Tom Brady or coaching talents like running back Ashton Jeanty, tight end Brock Bowers and pass rusher Maxx Crosby ultimately made the decision to leave Seattle for Las Vegas an easy one.
"I know there's a history of guys that are in and out of here pretty quick," Kubiak said. "I look at it as you know what? What a great challenge."
While Kubiak is the new cornerstone on which the Raiders will be built, the next franchise-altering decision is quickly approaching; the Raiders hold the No. 1 pick in April's draft.
After the pivot to quarterback Geno Smith failed, in part leading to the firing of coach Pete Carroll after one season, there's a glaring need for a franchise QB in Las Vegas. Owner Mark Davis alluded to as much following the news conference.
"It came down to where we are this year, having the first pick in the draft and understanding that there's a good chance we'll go on the offensive side of the ball," Davis said regarding the decision to hire an offensive guru in Kubiak, per ESPN's Ryan McFadden.
While Davis left the team's target atop the draft as more generalized to one side of the ball, Kubiak didn't take the bait at all.
Asked twice about the selection and potentially using it on Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, Kubiak kept the focus on the process, pointing out there's "a lot of tape to watch" before determining who to draft.
"What an opportunity," he added about already being on the clock. "To get to go study this draft, and we'll come to that conclusion here soon. There's a lot of work to done before then, but it's another opportunity to make the roster better. Not only do you have the first-overall pick, but you're picking early in all the other rounds, too. Looking forward to attacking that process."
Given the Raiders' current roster situation, they'll need every bit of an advantage they can get picking early on in rounds.
Las Vegas operated with a massive talent deficit in 2025. Having finished dead last in points and yards offensively, the only stars who stand out are Jeanty, whose skillset Kubiak noted he's "very excited" about, and Bowers, who Kubiak noted can be one of the best receivers -- not just among tight ends -- in the league. Add in a presumptive offensive pick at No. 1 overall and the Raiders should have a terrific trio as a starting point, but the rest of that side of the ball will very much require rebuilding in the image of Kubiak, who said he will serve as the play-caller.
While the team's defense was the better-performing unit last season (but only marginally at 25th in points allowed), questions still surround Crosby's future as trade buzz has been on the uptick regarding the five-time Pro Bowler. Kubiak, for his part, plans to keep Crosby in Sin City.
"We want him to be a part of our success going forward," Kubiak said. "There's no doubt about that. He's one of the best players in the NFL. So, that's a no-brainer to get to work with Maxx and to see him continue to have success with this organization."
Kubiak could be seen as inheriting a powder keg in Las Vegas after coming from a Seattle squad that was clicking on all cylinders to win Super Bowl LX.
Three consecutive head coaches have failed to complete a second season. The AFC West saw two teams go to the playoffs last season, with the only other division rival joining the Raiders on the outside looking in being the Chiefs, who have won three Super Bowls since 2019. There's the aforementioned Crosby tightrope to walk, and Kubiak must also nail the No. 1 pick while finding a way to pull the Raiders out of a perennial rebuild.
However, Kubiak appeared eager to take all of those challenges head on during his introductory news conference. He also spoke repeatedly of the Raiders' legacy, which includes three Super Bowl wins and countless players enshrined in Canton's hallowed halls.
"This is no ordinary job," Kubiak said. "This is the Silver and Black. This is the Raiders. This is a historic franchise. When the opportunity came up to stay in Seattle and continue there or to have a chance to come here and compete with this organization, it was a no-brainer. … The grit of this franchise sticks out. When you hear the Autumn Wind is a Raider, I can hear that in my mind growing up."
In half a year's time, the Autumn wind will be blowing once again -- and with it, hopefully the change that the Raiders have long been looking for.
