Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
Whether it’s because of players or front office members, the New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders have had their fair share of overlaps in recent years. The newest came following the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX win when Seahawks and former Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak confirmed that he would assume the head coaching role with the Raiders in 2026.
Klint Kubiak on Sam Darnold:
“If you really think about what he’s overcome, you just gotta have so much respect for him – because this league will beat you down…”
Plus, “hell yeah I’m goin, of course I’m goin…” —Viva Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/nhjNrtlxik
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) February 9, 2026
Much like Saints head coach Kellen Moore, Kubiak will go from championship winning offensive coordinator to head coach.
In the process, the Saints will host his Las Vegas team during his inaugural year leading the way.
Little Revenge Game Potential
Calling the matchup a revenge game would be a bit of an exaggeration. Things ended very amicably between the Saints and Kubiak. The decision to part ways was focused more on the playcaller being able to get on the market while jobs were available.
There’s no bad blood between the Saints and Kubiak, who has expressed his appreciation for the team allowing him to pursue new opportunities after his lone year in New Orleans.
The alternative would have been to string him along before hiring a head coach that could have chosen to later move on from him after other offensive coordinator opportunities around the league dried up.
The Pipeline Continues
Kubiak becomes the latest on the list of Saints-turned-Raiders and Raiders-turned-Saints. The list is headlined by names like quarterback Derek Carr, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and general manager Dave Ziegler.
Defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson and additional players such as tight end Foster Moreau are also among the other most recognizable names.
Impact on Potential Rashid Shaheed Return
Although wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, now a Super Bowl winner with the Seahawks, has expressed that he would be open to a return to New Orleans, Kubiak’s hiring in Sin City adds a level of complication to the possibility.
Shaheed may sensibly want to return to Seattle in the hopes of repeating as champions or could look to follow Kubiak to Las Vegas.
An Unlikely Trade
No one appears to be convinced that retired Saints quarterback Derek Carr’s career is actually over. While the Carr brothers have teased a link between Kubiak and the Raiders being of particular interest to Carr, the two reuniting in Las Vegas feels unlikely.
The Raiders hold the No. 1 overall selection of the 2026 NFL Draft. With that selection, they’re in position to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. In that situation, it would seem unlikely the Raiders would spend additional capital to trade for a veteran backup.
There are other far more likely destinations for Carr that could be looking to strike a deal.
Coach Poach?
One Saints staffer to keep an eye on that overlapped with Kubiak in New Orleans is wide receivers coach Keith Williams. One of the most highly-respected wide receivers coaches in the league, Williams is familiar with Kubiak and his system.
The former NFL wideout loves his situation in New Orleans, but spent much of his career in California’s Central Valley. Landing with the former Oakland team could suit Williams. Las Vegas is also a mere seven-hour drive from his hometown.
If the Saints can retain Williams throughout this process, as there are currently no indications of courtship from Kubiak, that would be a big win for New Orleans who is on a roll maintaining staff members.
