Seahawks know the leader Raiders will get in Klint Kubiak post-Super Bowl

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak wasn’t going to be the one to spill the beans on the worst-kept secret in the NFL.

Kubiak was coy when asked at the Super Bowl 60 Opening Night event whether he would confirm reports he planned to accept the Las Vegas Raiders head coaching job after Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.

“I’m coaching the Seahawks in the Super Bowl and that’s really all I’m thinking about,” he said at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. “I’ve been working my whole life to get to this game, so that’s where my focus will be.”

He relented with just one response that may have been a slight concession.

“Whatever comes next, we’ll deal with it on Monday,” he said.

Others weren’t so careful with their words.

General manager Jon Schneider, moments after admitting he tends to “babble” in his answers, essentially confirmed Kubiak’s departure during an NFL Network interview when discussing what has made Mike Macdonald so successful as a coach for the Seahawks.

“He’s hired great people,” Schneider said of Macdonald. “Obviously, we see Klint going to the Raiders now.”

It was as close to a confirmation as was going to happen Monday. Kubiak and the Raiders can make a verbal agreement, but no contract can be signed nor can an announcement be made until after Sunday’s game.

Offensive guard Grey Zabel fell somewhere in between Kubiak and Schneider with his discretion when discussing Kubiak’s possible departure.

“He’s been unbelievable,” Zabel said. “I’ve always said it was never if he was going to get a head coaching job, it was when. He’s an unbelievable guy and a great mentor for our offense. He’s everything you could ask for in an offensive coordinator. I’m excited for the future he has, whatever the decision is. Selfishly, you want him here as long as possible.

“But at the end of the end of the day, it’s one of those things where you know you’re not going to have him forever because he is an unbelievable coach, person and friend.”

Still, Kubiak wasn’t going to budge.

The question of whether he planned to leave for the Raiders job was asked in some form several times over the course of his 60-minute media session with the same result, though Kubiak did share what lessons this Seahawks team has taught him in his future preparations to be a head coach.

“Mike Macdonald is a phenomenal leader and head coach,” Kubiak said. “Just to get to be around him and John Schneider, two great leaders who have helped me and all of us coaches (has been helpful).”

A head coaching job is just the next step in Kubiak’s progression after working his way through the ranks.

His scheme resulted in a sensational offensive season for the Seahawks, who led the league in point differential. That made him a hot commodity on the head coaching carousel during Seattle’s postseason run.

Kubiak, however, said the numerous interview requests didn’t impact his preparation.

“It was really easy because I didn’t spend any extra time on it,” he said. “You get ready for those things in the summer, things that are important to you. Then your resume is always on your film. It’s something my dad always taught me you better not be sitting in your office thinking about interview questions. You better be thinking about winning the game. That’s what it comes down to.”

One of his dad’s longtime friends, Rick Dennison, is the Seahawks run game coordinator and senior offensive adviser, has known Kubiak since he was a Little Leaguer. Dennison worked with Gary Kubiak, and Klint played baseball and football with Dennison’s son through high school.

“He works hard, but he’s always worked hard,” Dennison said of Klint. “He’s always worked hard at things, but I think as a leader, he’s really grown so much. His communication skills, his people skills. He’s always been a great person, but he’s really portraying that as a coach and getting the most out of the players. That’s the biggest thing.”

The Raiders may well find out soon.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.