The Las Vegas Raiders are entering a new era led by head coach Klint Kubiak and quarterback Fernando Mendoza. It’s both of their first years with the team, so it’s going to take time to build up the franchise.
That said, things appear to be heading in the right direction. The Raiders have been struggling for a long time. A big reason for that has been the lack of consistency at head coach.
Since 2002, no team has had more head coaches than the Raiders. The hope is that Kubiak can finally end the cycle of hiring and firing head coaches. Though he has only been with the team for a few months, he’s loving what he’s seeing. He put the front office and coaching staff on notice with some confident comments.
“I am fully aware of the resources the Raiders have, the facilities. Practing here when I was with the 49ers, playing in Allegiant. That is as good as it gets,” Kubiak told Raiders.com. “So we have no excuses as coaches and as administrators to go out and get great players and get them to play at a high level. To go get results, that is our job. What a blessing it is to have that job and have that challenge in front of you.”
Are the Raiders Ready to Be Good Again?
It has been a trying couple of decades for the Raiders and their fan base. They’ve had just two winning seasons since losing the Super Bowl in 2002. They’ve arguably been the worst franchise in the NFL during that span.
With the Raiders, it’s going to be hard for anybody to buy them as real contenders until they actually start winning consistently. While things are looking up, it’s hard to be too confident in them until they prove it on the field.
Raiders Heading in Right Direction
On paper, the Raiders are making all the right moves this offseason. They hired a Super Bowl-winning young head coach, they added a No. 1 pick quarterback, they signed one of the best centers in the league and used a lot of resources to improve the defense.
The Athletic’s Sam Warren gave some thoughts on the Raiders’ outlook after free agency and the draft, and he’s liking what he’s seeing.
“There was always going to be something to be excited about with this draft class because of Fernando Mendoza,” Warren wrote. “But what the Raiders did on Days 2 and 3 — while not as flashy — should be reason for optimism as well. Las Vegas addressed its lack of playmaking defensive backs in a big way, drafting four of them, all of whom are touted for their ball skills. And its other selections all boast skill sets that can help the team in the short and long term. Above all, a common theme connected each draft pick. Every new Raider is heralded for their high character, with several being multiple-time team captains. GM John Spytek has a clear image of the kind of player he wants on the roster, and he’s doing the most to establish a new culture in the organization.”
Klint Kubiak Puts Raiders Coaches & Front Office on Notice