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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Mike MacDonald of the Seattle Seahawks is hugged by offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak after a 29-13 win against the the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos are officially getting a new problem in the AFC West, as former Broncos assistant Klint Kubiak confirmed he is headed to the Las Vegas Raiders after leading the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory.

Kubiak officially made the announcement moments after Seattle’s win, telling NFL Network on the field:

“You guys know I’m going to Las Vegas. I’m fired up about it. Hell yeah, I’m going.”

While the move had been widely expected for days, Kubiak’s confirmation immediately after lifting the Lombardi Trophy put a definitive stamp on a consequential coaching change in the division.

For Denver, the news lands differently.

Kubiak isn’t just another first-time head coach joining a rival.

He’s a familiar figure with deep ties to the Broncos and the AFC West, widely regarded as one of the league’s top young offensive minds.

Why Kubiak’s Move Raises the Stakes for Denver Broncos

Kubiak previously spent two stints with the Broncos.

He first served as an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach from 2016-18, before returning in 2022 as the team’s passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

He even took over play-calling duties late in the 2022 season.

That familiarity adds a personal edge to a big-time AFC West rivalry.

Kubiak is also the son of Gary Kubiak.

Gary is a Super Bowl-winning head coach who led Denver to a championship in the 2015 season and spent decades shaping the franchise as both a player and coach.

Seeing another Kubiak now leading the Raiders only amplifies the historical weight of the rivalry.

From a football standpoint, Denver has to acknowledge what Kubiak just accomplished.

His work with Seattle’s offense, most notably helping elevate Sam Darnold into a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, is what ultimately convinced the Raiders to make him their next head coach.

That success signals a shift for a Raiders team that has cycled through instability for years.

Kubiak is now expected to work closely with potential No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, marking a rare offensive-minded head coaching hire for the Raiders.

What Kubiak’s Hire Means for the AFC West Landscape

For the Broncos, the concern isn’t nostalgia, it’s improvement.

Kubiak arrives in Las Vegas with a reputation as a modern offensive mind capable of building structure quickly.

Seattle ranked as the No. 2 scoring offense in the NFL under his guidance.

The Raiders now have significant salary-cap flexibility and the top pick in the draft to reshape their roster around his system.

Pairing Mendoza with Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers would give the Raiders a strong, young offensive core.

That combination could accelerate Las Vegas’ rebuild faster than Denver would prefer.

The Broncos are entering a critical stretch under Sean Payton and Bo Nix.

With cap space available, Denver has a clear opportunity to build while Nix remains on his rookie deal.

That window puts added pressure on Denver to capitalize now.

The problem is the AFC West isn’t slowing down.

The Chargers are expected to be much more competitive once healthy, the Chiefs still have Patrick Mahomes, and now the Raiders may be on the rise under Klint Kubiak.

This hire does more than change leadership in Las Vegas.

It tightens the margins across the division and raises the stakes for Denver at a moment when the Broncos are trying to take the next step.

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