​The Las Vegas Raiders are aiming for a fresh start after hiring Klint Kubiak as head coach in February 2026 on a five-year deal. The hire follows Kubiak’s successful run as offensive coordinator that helped the Seattle Seahawks win a Super Bowl, and Las Vegas now expects him to replicate that offensive momentum with a franchise eager for a playoff breakthrough. Kubiak can tailor the offense around Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers, who is a first-team All-Pro tight end, to create a potent attack.
Yet, as the team moves forward, franchise legend and Super Bowl champion Marcus Allen identified a critical issue that must not carry into the new season. In discussing the star running back, Allen said that protecting Jeanty must become the offense’s top priority. “I talk to Ashton every now and then,” Allen said on the NFL Network. “I haven’t seen him lately, though, but of course, you know the one Achilles’ heel is penetration, and yeah, I think he got hit in the backfield, as you alluded to, more than any back in the league last year. That is something that we can’t allow to happen.”
Jeanty endured a late-season ankle injury in Week 12 but still maintained a high level of production. He finished with 975 rushing yards, the most among NFL rookies, and led that group with 1,321 scrimmage yards. Those numbers are particularly notable given he operated behind one of the league’s least effective offensive lines. PFN’s Team OL Impact Metric placed Las Vegas’ offensive line at the bottom of the league, with an impact score of 57.9. If the Raiders want to return to the postseason, allowing Jeanty to absorb constant punishment cannot remain part of the formula. Allen argues that Kubiak must create clearer rushing lanes for Jeanty to maximize his explosiveness. “We have to create some holes for him, and I think obviously when he gets a little bit of an opening, he can be special. And I think when you reflect back on last year, despite all that, I think he had a pretty good year. He showed a lot of promise, so I’m looking forward to him doing well this year as well.”
Kubiak’s coaching résumé suggests he is more than capable of unlocking Jeanty’s potential in 2026. During his time with Seattle, the team set a franchise record for regular-season points, illustrating how a well-structured game plan can maximize offensive output. Under Kubiak’s play-calling, Jaxon Smith-Njigba earned first-team All-Pro recognition after leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards. Sam Darnold revived his career with a Pro Bowl season, and running back Kenneth Walker III captured the Super Bowl MVP trophy. The Raiders now hope to transplant this blueprint to Allegiant Stadium and build a high-powered attack around their young back and elite tight end.
Kubiak has embraced the challenge of stepping into the head coaching role, expressing optimism about guiding the franchise to sustained success. With his proven track record of offensive efficiency and the potential alignment with Jeanty and Bowers, Las Vegas looks to establish a dynamic, balanced attack that can overwhelm defenses and propel the Raiders back into postseason contention. The new era under Kubiak promises to emphasize sharper line play, cleaner rushing lanes, and a scheme that leverages Jeanty’s quickness and vision, while also exploiting the mismatches created by Bowers’s elite receiving ability. If the offensive foundation holds, Raider Nation could see a revitalized, playoff-caliber squad in 2026 and beyond.