Feb. 1, 2026, 2:40 p.m. CT
Good luck with the Las Vegas Raiders, Klint Kubiak. The former New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator has been chosen as the team’s new head coach, but he can’t actually start the job until he’s finished coaching the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. We may be getting ahead of ourselves here, but which of Kubiak’s former players and assistants could join him on the Raiders?
With ten picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and a staggering $90 million in salary cap space to work with, they should be major players this offseason. Don’t be shocked if some of Kubiak’s former teammates make the move from New Orleans to Las Vegas to team up with him. Here are five names we’ll be watching closely.
Cesar Ruiz
If you were paying attention to Mickey Loomis in the Saints GM’s end-of-year press conference, you noted his light criticism of Ruiz as a player the team needed to get more out of. He’s at least willing to acknowledge that Ruiz has been a weak link in the offensive line. And while the Raiders offensive line was an absolute mess in 2025, but no position may have struggled more badly than right guard. Five different players started games at that spot and combined for 16 sacks and 13 penalties. Ruiz had his best year as a pro in Kubiak’s offense before taking a step back in 2024, and the Saints had trade talks with Seattle aimed at reuniting them. Now that Kubiak will be running his own team (which also needs help at right guard), there could be enough motivation to get a deal done.
Spencer Rattler
Everyone seems to agree (or at least Tyler Shough and Chris Olave say so) that Rattler deserves the opportunity to start again in the NFL, and while that may not be in the cards with the Raiders expected to draft Fernando Mendoza first overall, the Raiders could still be a fit. Geno Smith is on the outs. His backup Kenny Pickett is a free agent. If Kubiak wants to get someone in the building who knows his system, Rattler would be a natural fit. You just have to question whether Las Vegas would be willing to put a compelling offer on the table. The Saints control Rattler’s contract for the next two years, so they don’t have to trade him. They really should only do so if they get an offer that’s stronger than what they spent to get him in the first place (a fifth-round pick at No. 150 overall).
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Alontae Taylor
Few teams were as vulnerable in the slot last year as the Raiders; safety Jeremy Chinn (282 snaps) and cornerback Darnay Holmes (147) split time in the slot, with defensive backs Jamal Adams (124) and Isaiah Pola-Mao (102) also seeing extensive time there. And as a team, Las Vegas gave up 420 yards and six touchdowns to slot receivers last year, per Pro Football Focus charting. We can argue how impactful Taylor would be in that role (PFF charged him with 397 yards and three touchdowns allowed this year) but Kubiak has seen firsthand how dynamic he can be. Taylor’s knack for making plays and versatility to line up outside shouldn’t be understated. Since entering the league in 2022 he ranks fourth among all cornerbacks in passes defensed (52) and third in tackles for loss (21).
Foster Moreau
Moreau arguably had his best season in Kubiak’s offense in 2024, catching 32 passes for 413 yards, 21 first downs, and five touchdowns. The Raiders obviously have a great tight end in Brock Bowers but the depth behind him is questionable, and Moreau could better fit what Kubiak wants to do than Michael Mayer (who hasn’t met his potential in three years) or Ian Thomas (a free agent). Returning to the team that drafted him could be appealing for Moreau, too.
Keith Williams
Williams was one of the few position coaches who the Saints kept after hiring Kellen Moore; he initially joined the staff under Kubiak in 2024. He’s a respected coach and has guided his unit through some tough stretches but could have a better opportunity with Kubiak on the Raiders. Whether it’s a lateral move (as was the case for Jahri Evans, who the Saints didn’t block) or a promotion to a pass-game specialist or offensive coordinator role, Williams could make sense for Kubiak’s new setup in Las Vegas.