Like Kellen Moore and the New Orleans Saints prior to last year's Super Bowl, Klint Kubiak to the Las Vegas Raiders was no real secret. He made it abundantly clear what his next step was after the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl victory, though, in case there was any doubt. The former Saints offensive coordinator told the world "you guys know I'm going to Las Vegas, so I'm fired up about it" on national TV.
Yes, Klint. We did know you were going to Vegas, but thank you for that soundbite. Kubiak likely won't be the only former Saint in Vegas next year. The most obvious candidate to follow him is Andrew Janocko as the Raiders' offensive coordinator. The two have worked together in multiple places, but Seattle offering play calling duties and the coordinator position could keep Janocko from following Kubiak.
Rashid Shaheed is another one that could follow Kubiak. The Saints traded Shaheed to Seattle during the year. He's been an impact player for them in their lead up to the Super Bowl. He'll have to make a decision on whether to stay where he's had success or follow his former coordinator to stay in the system.
Klint Kubiak's rapid ascension leaves Saints fans with one question
Where was all of this last year?
Seattle was one of the best offenses in the league this season. They had the Offensive Player of the Year in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. They were balanced with the pass and run game. None of those things could be said last year with New Orleans.
This is what happens when you have all your players. The Saints were handicapped offensively for most of the 2024 season. To make it worse, Spencer Rattler had to make his first NFL starts with that battered supporting cast. It seemed like there was more at play than just injuries, but Kubiak showed what he could do with quality players around him.
After being in the top 15 in his one year with the Vikings and this year in Seattle, Kubiak's sole year with the Saints looks like an aberration. That aberration may have ultimately been a win-win for both sides. Kubiak got to go to a much better destination and turned it into a Super Bowl and head coaching opportunity. Had he done that in New Orleans, Dennis Allen would still be the head coach of the Saints.