Raiders Aim to Build Solid Foundation Under New Coach Klint Kubiak

Veteran QB Kirk Cousins highlights importance of establishing basic offensive fundamentals as Las Vegas overhauls coaching staff and roster.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:18pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting overlapping planes and shapes representing a football game or practice, with muted colors evoking the Raiders' uniforms, conveying the conceptual idea of a team in transition under new leadership.A cubist interpretation of the Raiders' new coaching staff working to build a cohesive offense and revive the team's fortunes.Las Vegas Today

The Las Vegas Raiders have undergone a major coaching staff overhaul, hiring first-time head coach Klint Kubiak to lead the team's turnaround efforts. Kubiak has emphasized the importance of his experienced coaching staff in helping get the team off to a smooth start. As the Raiders ramp up for the 2026 season, they must focus on quickly establishing a cohesive offense and solid foundation, with veteran QB Kirk Cousins noting the significance of mastering the basic fundamentals.

Why it matters

The Raiders have struggled in recent seasons, finishing with the league's worst rushing attack for two of the past three years. Rebuilding a winning culture and competitive team will be crucial for the franchise, which is hoping Kubiak's new coaching staff can help the team turn things around quickly.

The details

The Raiders' front office has made significant changes to the coaching staff and roster in an effort to revamp the team. Kubiak, a first-time head coach, has surrounded himself with experienced assistants to help establish a solid foundation. Veteran QB Kirk Cousins, recently signed by the team, emphasized the importance of mastering the basic offensive fundamentals, noting that everything else builds upon that foundation.

  • The Raiders hired Klint Kubiak as their new head coach in the offseason.
  • The team is ramping up for the 2026 NFL season.

The players

Klint Kubiak

The new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, tasked with turning around the team's fortunes.

Kirk Cousins

The veteran quarterback recently signed by the Raiders, who highlighted the importance of establishing a solid offensive foundation.

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What they’re saying

“I was even enjoying just the install today, hearing Rick Dennison install the run game, giving all the rules, kind of slowly walking through the base fundamentals, because when I was a younger player and you start to hear these basic things, you can easily tune out, because you think, 'Oh, that's just basic stuff.' But what I've learned as I've gotten older is everything builds on that foundation. And so, it's days like today when you're just installing the most basic rules that everything else you do that may be more interesting later, it all comes because of what we have as our foundation.”

— Kirk Cousins, Veteran Quarterback

What’s next

The Raiders must continue to focus on establishing a solid offensive foundation during the offseason and training camp, as they look to quickly mesh their new coaching staff and players ahead of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Raiders' offseason overhaul, including the hiring of first-time head coach Klint Kubiak and the addition of veteran QB Kirk Cousins, highlights the team's commitment to rebuilding a winning culture. By emphasizing the importance of mastering the basic fundamentals, the Raiders are aiming to establish a strong foundation that can support their long-term success.