Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s next appointment has quite a few members of the team brass on edge. Reports suggest that Kubiak is a top choice for the head-coaching vacancies with the Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals, as both teams are still searching for a head coach.
Insiders have claimed that the Raiders and Cardinals are set to bring Kubiak in for second interviews over the weekend, ahead of his expected trip to Super Bowl week. Sports journalist Jeremy Fowler recently reported that Kubiak is favouring the Raiders' opening over the Cardinals’ position.
Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's next move: Why is the Cardinals the better pick for him?
Of course, Kubiak may not end up with either franchise and may remain in Seattle for another season as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator.
“My sense in league circles talking to people is that he would prefer the Raiders job over the Cardinals if he does go that route,” Fowler said. “It is not a slam dunk he leaves Seattle.”
“He’s been with multiple teams. He’s been with multiple teams over the years. Just moved his family to the Northwest," Fowler added. "So it would take the right kind of situation for him to leave. But it is believed that the target for Las Vegas and that No.
1 pick with Fernando Mendoza would be Kubiak.”
Another sports journalist, Adam Schefter, however, said on the "Pat McAfee Show" that Kubiak was "definitely getting" the Raiders or Cardinals jobs.
The Raiders' job might be more appealing to Kubiak than the Cardinals' opening, since Las Vegas is widely expected to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza for the No. 1 overall pick. Reports also suggest that the Raiders have significant salary-cap flexibility and already have promising offensive pieces in place.
Arizona, however, is dealing with a tricky quarterback situation and is operating with roughly $50 million less in cap space than the Raiders, which limits their roster-building options.
It’s also important to note that even if Kubiak ultimately accepts one of the two positions, NFL rules prevent the appointment from becoming official until after the Super Bowl.