Klint Kubiak shares honest feelings on Fernando Mendoza amid Raiders draft rumors

Klint Kubiak shares thoughts on potentially having Fernando Mendoza as QB - via Getty/CMS

Klint Kubiak is now officially an NFL head coach for the first time, and he has shared some thoughts on what his first days on the job could look like.

On Tuesday, the Las Vegas Raiders officially introduced the former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator as their new head coach, succeeding Pete Carroll. They also hold the first overall pick of the draft, which they have long been speculated to use on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Shortly after his introductory press conference, Kubiak could not be anything but cautiously excited at working with the national champion:

“Exposer is very limited, I saw him play in the national championship game, I saw the interviews he’s given. … Really talented guy with a bright future and we’ll see where he ends up, but we got a lot of work to do to get to know him before that time.”

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ALSO READ: Sam Darnold makes his feelings clear on Klint Kubiak taking over Raiders job right after winning Super Bowl with Seahawks

ALSO READ: Klint Kubiak to Raiders grade: Rating ex-Seahawks OC’s fit in Las Vegas


Klint Kubiak gets candid about calling plays in head coaching debut with Raiders

Speaking of said introductory press conference, Klint Kubiak had much to share, from Maxx Crosby’s future to his plans for the no. 1 draft pick. Another of the topics that came up was whether he would call plays, as he did in Seattle. He said:

“I do, but I hope you guys know that I’ve never called a game by myself. That’s something we do as a coaching staff together. We plan together, we communicate on gameday together. … It’s how we communicate on gameday that will be very important.”

He also shared his thoughts on the search for a defensive coordinator. The Raiders’ previous one, Patrick Graham, has left to assume the same position with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While Kubiak declined to give which names most stoked his interest, he did give insight into what he expects of whomever he hires:

“I want to make sure that we have a DC that is a coaching effort first and technique, and it’s going to rip into somebody if they’re not finishing the practice.”

The 2026 league year commences on March 11.

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