Las Vegas Raiders Embark on Rebuild Under New Coach Klint Kubiak

Second-year GM John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady join Kubiak in leading the Raiders' overhaul.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 12:23am

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The Las Vegas Raiders are undergoing a major rebuild under new head coach Klint Kubiak, second-year general manager John Spytek, and minority owner Tom Brady. The team is committed to a 'playoffs-or-bust' mentality in 2028 and is taking a disciplined approach to overhauling the roster, coaching staff, and overall strategy.

Why it matters

The Raiders have struggled in recent years, missing the playoffs for several consecutive seasons. This rebuild represents a critical juncture for the franchise as they look to return to relevance in the NFL. The involvement of high-profile figures like Kubiak, Spytek, and Brady adds intrigue and raises the stakes for the Raiders to get this rebuild right.

The details

Kubiak has assembled a new coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko, defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, and special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis. The staff is focused on implementing a cohesive scheme and getting players 'on the same page.' Spytek and his team have conducted a thorough evaluation of the current roster, identifying which players fit Kubiak's vision and which ones may need to be moved on from. The Raiders are also scouting the free agent market and exploring potential trades, looking to build a roster that can contend for the playoffs in 2028.

  • Kubiak was hired as the new head coach in January 2026.
  • Spytek was promoted to general manager in early 2025, entering his second season in that role.
  • Brady became a minority owner of the Raiders in 2024.

The players

Klint Kubiak

The new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, tasked with leading the team's rebuild and returning them to the playoffs.

John Spytek

The second-year general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, responsible for overhauling the roster and working closely with Kubiak on the team's strategic direction.

Tom Brady

The legendary NFL quarterback who became a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024, providing additional leadership and expertise to the organization.

Andrew Janocko

The new offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, working with Kubiak to implement the team's offensive scheme and develop the players.

Rob Leonard

The new defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, responsible for leading the team's defensive overhaul and aligning with Kubiak's vision.

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What they’re saying

“We're trying to put together a great staff of teachers. We got to get some really good teachers and coaches here, and get us all on the same page and get our players going in the same direction. That communication is really important. I think if we can put together a great staff here and get our players up to date on these playbooks and the things we expect of them, then the results speak for themselves after that.”

— Klint Kubiak, Head Coach (SI.com)

“Because of that, a player peaking in 2026 may not be a fit in 2028, so the team will need to evaluate moving on to a younger player who will benefit from patience and development in 2026 and 2027, with payoff in 2028.”

— John Spytek, General Manager (SI.com)

What’s next

The Raiders will continue their roster evaluation process, identify free agent targets, and explore potential trades as they build towards the 2028 season with a 'playoffs-or-bust' mentality.

The takeaway

The Raiders' rebuild under Kubiak, Spytek, and Brady represents a critical juncture for the franchise. By taking a disciplined, long-term approach and assembling a talented coaching staff and roster, the team is positioning itself to return to the playoffs and contend for a championship in the coming years.