Speculation that every NFL head-coaching opening could be filled by the middle of this week — and finding out if offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will remain with the Seahawks — may have been premature.
Two reports Wednesday stated that Kubiak is slated for a second interview with the Las Vegas Raiders this week, with Vincent Bonsignore of The California Post reporting that the interview will be Saturday.
Another report stated that Kubiak will also have a second interview with the Arizona Cardinals.
Those are the only two teams that have yet to fill their head-coaching vacancies.
News of more interviews for Kubiak comes after ESPN’s Adam Schefter stated Monday: “I wouldn’t be surprised if by Wednesday there are no openings left.”
Kubiak had virtual interviews with each team during the Seahawks’ bye week following the regular season.
Because he already had a virtual interview he can meet in person with teams this week through Sunday, before he will be off-limits to interviews next week as the Seahawks prepare for the Super Bowl, per NFL rules.
Kubiak could not be officially named as a head coach until after the Super Bowl but an agreement could be reached.
The news that Kubiak is expected to have a second interview with Arizona came via NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports.
Kubiak has not been considered a favorite for the Arizona job, with many reports speculating the Cardinals have their sights on Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. Another report Tuesday stated the team had talked with former Washington and Carolina head coach Ron Rivera.
Pauline wrote late Tuesday that while Kubiak is expected to talk again with Arizona, speculation from those he talked to at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., is Kubiak likely wouldn’t take the job.
Wrote Pauline: “The sense I’m getting is that (Kubiak) would likely return to Seattle rather than take the head coaching job with Arizona, unless they somehow blow him away with an amazing offer. The Cardinals are not a very desirable job for anyone.”
The Raiders, despite their 3-14 record in 2025 — which led to the firing of former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll — might be another matter.
The Raiders will have the No. 1 pick and could select Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza of Indiana as a quarterback for a new coach to build around.
The Raiders are reportedly interested in LaFleur as well as Denver Broncos passing game coordinator Davis Webb, with some reports pegging Webb as the front-runner.
As long as the Raiders don’t have a coach, speculation will likely continue to swirl about Kubiak, as well.
The 38-year-old became a hot candidate by leading the Seahawks to a franchise record for points in a season and third in the NFL at 28.4 per game in his first year as OC after taking over for the fired Ryan Grubb, devising a scheme that also got the best out of quarterback Sam Darnold and helped Jaxon Smith-Njigba have one of the best receiving seasons in league history.
Pauline wrote that one consideration for anyone talking to the Raiders is getting comfortable with the involvement of Tom Brady, a minority owner of the team.
“I’m told any candidate, including Kubiak, must be comfortable with minority owner and future Hall of Famer Tom Brady looking over their shoulder and potentially second-guessing decisions,’’ Pauline wrote.
The Cleveland Browns filled their opening Wednesday by hiring Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
There had been no reports linking Kubiak to the Browns job. Seattle defensive coordinator Aden Durde had a virtual interview with the Browns during the bye week after the regular season but there had been no further reports of contact between the two sides.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
