The Raiders are turning a new page—and the difference is already obvious.
Klint Kubiak is getting the support Pete Carroll never received in Las Vegas.
Raiders Give Klint Kubiak the Support Pete Carroll Never Got
The Las Vegas Raiders appear determined not to repeat the mistakes of last season.
After a disappointing year under former head coach Pete Carroll, the organization is moving quickly to build a stronger foundation for new head coach Klint Kubiak. And early signs suggest the franchise is already giving Kubiak the kind of support Carroll never received.
The biggest example came with the signing of Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, a move that immediately strengthens one of the Raiders’ weakest areas from last season.
A Major Upgrade for the Offensive Line
The Raiders’ offensive line struggled badly last year, making life difficult for the offense and limiting the team’s ability to establish consistency.
Adding Tyler Linderbaum, a three-time Pro Bowler, changes that equation.
Linderbaum has built a reputation as one of the NFL’s most reliable centers, missing only two games in his entire career. His presence should instantly stabilize the middle of the offensive line and provide the kind of protection a young quarterback desperately needs.
And that’s exactly what the Raiders are preparing for.
A Rookie Quarterback Is Likely Coming
Las Vegas is widely expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
That means Kubiak will likely begin his tenure with a rookie quarterback as the centerpiece of the offense.
Fortunately for the Raiders, Kubiak has experience guiding offenses built around young quarterbacks. As the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator in 2025, he helped lead the team to a Super Bowl championship with a balanced offensive system that mixed running and passing effectively.
That same philosophy could translate well in Las Vegas.
A Very Different Situation From Pete Carroll’s
When Pete Carroll arrived in Las Vegas last season, the situation was far less stable.
The roster had major weaknesses—particularly on the offensive line—and the team failed to give Carroll the personnel support needed to fix those issues quickly.
Instead, the Raiders attempted to recreate parts of Carroll’s Seattle teams by bringing in familiar names.
The team added quarterback Geno Smith, along with former Seahawks players like Tyler Lockett and Jamal Adams.
In hindsight, that strategy didn’t produce the results the organization hoped for.
Carroll lasted just one season in Las Vegas, and the team quickly moved in a new direction.
A New Approach Under Kubiak
This offseason, the Raiders appear to be taking a more deliberate approach.
Instead of filling the roster with familiar faces, the front office is focusing on improving the overall talent level of the team.
Signing a proven player like Linderbaum reflects that strategy.
Rather than leaning on connections or past relationships, the Raiders are targeting players who can immediately improve the roster.
Tom Brady’s Influence?
Some observers believe the shift could be tied to Tom Brady’s role in the Raiders’ ownership group.
With Brady and other decision-makers guiding the franchise, the team may be taking a more strategic approach to building the roster this time around.
And if that approach continues, Kubiak could be placed in a much better position to succeed than his predecessor.
A Fresh Start for the Raiders
For Klint Kubiak, the opportunity in Las Vegas is massive.
He arrives with a Super Bowl-winning résumé as an offensive coordinator and the chance to develop a new franchise quarterback.
But the difference this time is that the organization seems determined to give its head coach the resources necessary to succeed.
If the Raiders continue building the roster the way they’ve started, Kubiak might finally become the winning coach that Pete Carroll never had the chance to be in Las Vegas.
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