While there was plenty of conjecture of what would happen during the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching search, once the team zeroed in on Klint Kubiak, it wasn’t a matter of “if” but “when”.
And once it was clear the offensive-minded young hotshot was the choice by Silver & Black brass, even the normally reserved Kubiak couldn’t hide his enthusiasm for the gig.
Case in point: Kubiak attempting to play coy after he helped the Seattle Seahawks win Super Bowl XX as offensive coordinator during an on-field
interview with NFL Network. It was an on-the-spot answer to his NFL future with the hyped up “Hell yeah, I’m going.” when asked if the Raiders was indeed his next destination.
Las Vegas did well to be both deliberate and patient in its coaching search and landed a prize catch in the coaching sweepstakes.
Perhaps the even-keeled and attention-to-detail approach Kubiak brings to the table is just what the Raiders need? A classic old-school grinder like his father Gary Kubiak, Klint isn’t one to make any bombastic claims that can be used as motivational ammunition by the opposition and/or mocked after the triumphant claims face plant in horrific fashion.
The younger Kubiak brought his trusted lieutenants from Seattle to Las Vegas in offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko and offensive line coach Rick Dennison. The rookie head coach also brought in experienced assistants in Mike McCoy (assistant head coach), Mike Sullivan (quarterbacks coach), and Joe DeCamillis (special teams). Alongside Kubiak as neophyte play callers is Rob Leonard, who impressed the Raiders head coach that an ascension from defensive line coach/defensive run game coordinator to defensive coordinator occurred this offseason.
General manager John Spytek added big-ticket free agents in March followed by bringing in promising prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft a month later to bolster a roster for Kubiak’s initial season as captain over the Silver & Black Express.
While the offense is going to be much improved than what we saw from the 2025 rendition of the Raiders — ranked 32nd in points scored (241) and yards gained (4,168) — growing pains and a roster that’s at the beginning stages of a rebuild/reload have me prognosticating a 6-11 rookie season for the coaching neophytes Kubiak and Leonard.
There will be tough lessons learned with Las Vegas having the seventh-hardest strength of schedule in the NFL. But those matchups against a fierce NFC and AFC West will provide the growing pains Kubiak and Spytek need as the Raiders proceed on the new era.
Let’s take a look at the week-by-week schedule and results:
Week 1 – vs. Miami Dolphins: Win
Kubiak’s desert marauders kick off the 2026 campaign with a home win over Jeff Haley’s visiting Dolphins in a battle of two rookie head coaches. Veteran Kirk Cousins is his usual efficient self as Las Vegas picks up Kubiak’s first regular-season victory as an NFL head coach and at home, nonetheless.
Week 2 – at Los Angeles Chargers: Loss
Jim Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel combine to create a formidable offense that wears down Leonard’s defense in this AFC West matchup. With the defense unable to get off the field, it leaves Kubiak’s offense little opportunity to operate resulting in a defeat.
Week 3 – at New Orleans Saints: Loss
Much like Las Vegas, New Orleans is on Year 2 of a rebuild under Kellen Moore — another hotshot young play caller given the reins of a football team. It’s a competitive game between the two teams but a missed field goal by Las Vegas turns out to be the difference maker.
Week 4 – vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Loss
Welcoming the always formidable Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs cut through the Raiders like hot knife through butter in another early-season AFC West showdown. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo makes life tough for Kubiak and Cousins while Leonard struggles to contain the Chiefs’ offense.
Week 5 – at New England Patriots: Loss
Seething from both their postseason exit and the Week 1 loss at home to the Raiders in 2025, the Patriots fire on all cylinders to lap a Raiders team that has trouble in all three phases of the game on the road. Mike Vrabel’s football team is just too physical in this matchup.
Week 6 – vs. Buffalo Bills: Loss
Facing the trio of quality starting quarterbacks gives Leonard great teach tape but the Josh Allen-led Bills offense gets the best of the Raiders defense. Joe Brady has Buffalo’s offensive attack humming while Jim Leonhard devices ways to get after Cousins.
Week 7 – vs. Los Angeles Rams: Loss
Sean McVay and Matt Stafford are the latest to light up Leonard’s Raiders defense and despite Maxx Crosby being a constant harrier, Las Vegas’ offense can’t keep up with the high-octane attack the Rams bring to Allegiant Stadium.
Week 8 – at New York Jets: Win
A six-game skid snapped! Learning brutal lessons against some of the best offenses the NFL has to offer shows dividends as Leonard brings the heat. And that pressure against Jets quarterback Geno Smith leads to multiple takeaways and the Raiders offense capitalizes.
Week 9 – at San Francisco 49ers: Loss
From the substation and injuries to head coach Kyle Shanahan’s car accident, to owner Jed York’s arrest the offseason has been one to forget for the Niners. But they have the coach and roster to get a home win over the developing Raiders.
Week 10 – vs. Seattle Seahawks: Loss
Want to see the type of defense we should eventually see with Leonard calling the plays? This is the game to see it as Mike Macdonald will have his Seahawks grabbing Kubiak’s Raiders offense by the throat and squeezing. Las Vegas will get its licks in, just not the W.
Week 11 – vs. Denver Broncos: Loss
Winless in Mile High since the 2022 season, the determined Broncos must stack as many victories it can in a competitive AFC West. This one will be a slugfest but a special teams gaffe costs the Raiders in the initial meeting between division foes.
Week 12 – at Cleveland Browns: Win
Shedur Sanders or Deshaun Watson, doesn’t matter. The Raiders defense rises to the occasion as Crosby and Co. rack up multiple sacks as tight end Brock Bowers showcases why he’s an elite young talent in the league with a multiple touchdown reception outing.
Week 13 – Bye Week
At 3-9 heading into a later hiatus week, Kubiak and Co. make a key decision pivot at quarterback.
Week 14 – vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Loss
Despite the plan of sit and learn minority owner Tom Brady has for the Raiders’ prized No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 draft, Fernando Mendoza’s first start at quarterback in place of Cousins. It isn’t pretty but the lumps taken in this game help Mendoza’s development.
Week 15 – vs. Denver Broncos: Loss
Getting to scheme against a rookie signal caller, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph deploys a dizzying array of actual and simulated pressure while mixing up coverage on backend to stymie Mendoza and Kubiak’s offense. But it’s this defeat where things click for Mendoza.
Week 16 – vs. Tennessee Titans: Win
Neither defensive-minded Robert Saleh or his defensive coordinator Gus Bradley can stymie an in-sync Kubiak and Mendoza in this matchup. With the offense clicking, Leonard’s defense rises to the occasion as the Raiders get back in the win column.
Week 17 – at Arizona Cardinals: Win
In a battle of two offensive-minded rookie head coaches, Kubiak and Mike LaFleur have their respective offenses putting on a display of firepower. But in this shootout, it’s Las Vegas that comes out on top for much-needed back-to-back wins.
Week 18 – at Kansas City Chiefs: Win
Throwing caution into the wind, Leonard dials up creative blitzes to drop Mahomes while Kubiak gives the rock to the thunder-and-lightning combo of Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr. to get a season-ending road win in Arrowhead.
Final 2026 Record: 6-11.
Let us know how you think the Kubiak-led Raiders will finish in 2026 in the comments below.
