> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Analysis: How Will Klint Kubiak’s Departure Impact Seahawks? - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/analysis-how-will-klint-kubiaks-departure-impact-seattle-seahawks/ - Published: 2026-02-01T21:50:06.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T05:35:58.000Z - Author: Corbin Smith - Tags: Analysis, Seahawks, Klint Kubiak, Andrew Janocko, Justin Outten, John Benton, Arthur Smith, Mike Kafka, Doug Pederson \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="3380"\] ![ Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) hugs offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak after defeating the Los Angeles Rams in overtime at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/usatsi_27848919-format-original.jpg) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) hugs offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak after defeating the Los Angeles Rams in overtime at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images \[/caption\] After orchestrating a top-five scoring offense in his first season as offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, Klint Kubiak will be another one-and-done play caller in the Pacific Northwest. According to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Las Vegas Raiders are “zeroing in” on Kubiak to become their next head coach. Owner Mark Davis will not be able to officially hire Kubiak until after Super Bowl LX, but all signs point to the organization having their man after conducting a second interview with him on Saturday. Replacing Ryan Grubb as coach Mike Macdonald’s second offensive coordinator hire in as many seasons last February, Kubiak unlocked the full potential of a rebuilt Seahawks offense that had traded away quarterback Geno Smith and receiver DK Metcalf, as the team finished third in scoring (28.4 points per game), eighth in passing yards, and 10th in rushing yards. Quarterback Sam Darnold continued his career renaissance, throwing 25 touchdown passes and eclipsing the 4,000-yard mark, while receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards and likely will be named Offensive Player of the Year at NFL Honors later this week. Even a rushing attack that struggled in the first half of the season found traction for Kubiak down the stretch, as the Seahawks averaged over 170 rushing yards per game from Week 16 through the Divisional Round, twice gashing the 49ers on their way to their fourth Super Bowl berth. Set to become a free agent in March, Ken Walker III picked the perfect time to explode, using a late season surge to push past the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in his career, while Zach Charbonnet rushed for 730 yards and 12 touchdowns before suffering a season-ending torn ACL. With Kubiak now heading to the Sin City, Macdonald and general manager John Schneider will once again have to court a new offensive coordinator, this time as a result of the immense success Seattle had this season. As they did before eventually picking Kubiak as Grubb’s successor, they won’t leave any stones unturned plugging a crucial role on the coaching staff, examining both in-house and outside candidates as possible targets seeking the best fit for a team clearly in the window for contention. Coming out of a Super Bowl appearance, it should be a coveted vacancy. However, the late timing of Kubiak’s exit has left a heavily picked down crop of replacement options and likely creates more potential vacancies for the franchise on the offensive coaching staff that will need to be filled. His ability to steal other assistants could put more pressure on Macdonald and Schneider with internal candidates right after the Super Bowl if they desire to go that route and maintain some continuity, making the process more challenging for the brain trust. Coming from New Orleans last spring, Kubiak brought several high-profile assistants with him that have been integral in Seattle’s on-field success, including offensive line coach John Benton. Boasting more than 20 years of NFL assistant coaching on his resume, Benton transformed one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL into a strength for the Seahawks, as they cut their sacks allowed total from 54 in 2024 to 27 in 2025 and found a groove late opening holes for Walker and Charbonnet. Losing him would be a massive blow to the progress made in the trenches. But considering Benton was hand-picked by Kubiak for his past two offensive coordinator gigs, it may be inevitable that the two coaches will be going to Las Vegas together. In addition, quarterback coach Andrew Janocko, who has been instrumental in further development for Darnold as well as having a key hand in the red zone offense for Seattle and has been with Kubiak at several previous stops, could be a target to jump up to offensive coordinator with the Raiders, which would leave another significant assistant role unfilled. As for other assistants who could follow Kubiak, run game coordinator/senior offensive advisor Rick Dennison has been with Kubiak dating back to their time together with the Vikings as well as with the Saints and it seems like a given he would want to continue coaching with his former apprentice. Run game specialist/assistant offensive line coach Justin Outten also worked with Kubiak in Denver, though the Seahawks could potentially offer him a promotion as either an offensive coordinator or offensive line coach to persuade him to stay. If Macdonald wants to run it back with one of Seattle’s assistant coaches next season as the new play caller, passing game coordinator Jake Peetz would appear to be the best option, and he doesn’t have previous ties to Kubiak either. He already drew interest from a couple of teams during this year’s coaching carousel as an offensive coordinator candidate, and while he hasn’t been a coordinator at the NFL level, he did serve that role at LSU at the college level and his recent experience as a pass game coordinator should have him better prepared to step up to the next challenge. Janocko and Outten also would be viable contenders for consideration and could be the two options capable of persuading Benton into staying put, though the two coaches have limited play calling experience between them. Outten called plays for a few games in Denver back in 2022 after the firing of head coach Nathaniel Hackett and Janocko has never been an offensive coordinator or a pass/run game coordinator in the NFL, so there would be significant risk with either on that front. Outside of the organization, former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith was on Macdonald’s radar two years ago before hiring Grubb, and he has yet to sign his contract to take over as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator after calling plays for the Steelers last season. Washington native Doug Pederson didn’t coach this year after being fired by the Jaguars, but may be a possibility if he wants to jump back into the mix as a play caller, previously excelling in that role with the Chiefs and as a head coach with the Eagles. One other name to keep an eye on would be former Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who interviewed with the Seahawks as a head coaching candidate two years ago and recently joined the Lions staff for an unspecified role and would be available to take a coordinator job if offered one. Macdonald has always valued coordinators with experience coaching quarterbacks and Kafka would check off that box as a former NFL signal caller himself to pair with Darnold. Other names will certainly emerge as well once the dust settles from Super Bowl LX, but most likely, Macdonald will want to either hire from within and retain as many coaches off the current staff as possible or he will desire an experienced play caller in a similar vain to hiring Kubiak last offseason such as Kafka or Smith. It would be a major surprise if he hires someone from outside the organization who doesn’t offer NFL play calling experience, especially after how poorly the Grubb experience went two seasons ago.