Raiderstation

Figured it is best to start a new official thread around Kubiak being our HC as the other one was built up so much around the search. His introduction presser is at 11 PST today.

Future looks bright Raider Nation, I haven't felt this good about a coaching hire since when Gruden was hired the first time. To top that off we're in position to draft a qb 1st overall that I actually think is worthy of picking at the top of the draft. Im actually going to watch the whole press conference from my office. Good times.

Responding to the “wait 2-3 years” crowd, completely agree. I don’t think this is an overnight fix. Mendoza will be far from a finished product, and our roster won’t be complete.

I believe this year should be all-in on player development over wins for this exact reason. Hopefully we can win some games along the way, but I don’t expect this to be our breakout season.

If all goes to plan, Mendoza should be hitting his stride right as this team is starting to really take shape.

BoKnows81 wrote: Tue Feb 10, 2026 9:43 am Thats just not true. Maxx should get us PREMIUM picks. Along with 2nd cost cap space, I am truly confident we could get 2 or 3 guys via draft or FA and get better production while getting younger, than just having Maxx.

That's pure theory though. And I would argue unsubstantiated

I'm more than welcome to being shown otherwise, I'm not stuck on this forever. But I'm just looking historically and I can't find any teams that hands down got better after trading a PREMIUM pass rusher for PREMIUM picks.

Dalles: Parsons. Hands down their defense got worse.
Raiders: Mack. This one's obvious
Jets: Abraham. They went almost a decade trying to get another 10 sack guy after they traded him for a 1st round pick.
Patriots: Seymour. This may be the closest example of a trade that worked out. They got Nate Solder, but even though they went 14-2 the next year, their defense was 30th in yards allowed, 30th in pass defense, and mediocre in rush defense. They did continue to do well in scores allowed though post-seymour

All of these teams also saved cap space by jettisoning their star. But it didn't help much the following year.

Other than that, pass rushers really don't get traded much, ever, in history. And it's for the very simple reason that they can't be easily replaced, and your defense almost always gets worse. Historically speaking that is.

I would LOVE some more first round picks, and be super excited. But realistically the odds of a net-gain over one of the best pass rushers in the league are slim odds.

Shoot. I'm derailing the thread haha

I'm genuinely curious to see what players show up. If any.

Watch live
https://www.youtube.com/live/UbuItxrGIy ... ChICoH8-9H

First time I've seen pre-game commentary for a coach hiring presser. This blonde ain't bad, but I still miss Erin Coscarelli. I'd watch every youtube vid back when she was part of the team.

Raiders Baby wrote: Tue Feb 10, 2026 9:47 am Responding to the “wait 2-3 years” crowd, completely agree. I don’t think this is an overnight fix. Mendoza will be far from a finished product, and our roster won’t be complete.

I believe this year should be all-in on player development over wins for this exact reason. Hopefully we can win some games along the way, but I don’t expect this to be our breakout season.

If all goes to plan, Mendoza should be hitting his stride right as this team is starting to really take shape.

The first year is installing the system, learning who his players are and how they fit.
A get to know you. A meet and greet..
Thats why its tough for a new HC to go into fa and the draft without a day on the field with his team so I dont expect much y1.

Year 2? Fa and the draft are much easier in that they can pinpoint needs and address them.
Y2 is where id expect a leap in proformance/execution leading to W's.

BoKnows81 wrote: Tue Feb 10, 2026 9:32 am The defense was garbage with Maxx. Trading Maxx, acquiring a couple younger guys combined with better coaching will go a long way

It's been better than average "for us" over the past 20 years which we we're often low 20's in yards.
It's why sleepy eyes stayed DC for as long as he had.
For the past 3 years we've been smack dab right in the middle there, yes it could be worse.
Then how 2025 played out I'm surprised they held middle ground.
But yeah, still room for big improvement.

Spytek confirming and thanking Mark for trusting him to spearhead the coach hiring process. Finally we're doing it the right way

They have six Raider legends, not just in the audience, at the podium with him

Haynes, Howie, Marcus, Plunkett, Woodson, Gannon

No Mark on the stage is a win already

I didn't see the panel walk out but that's awesome if Mark isn't up there. I'm sure that's an intentional decision by him and I respect it.

I hope Kubiak doesn't like relaxing because he doesn't have time for it - it's a crazy cycle to go from coaching all year up to and including the SB and then signing on with the Raiders and having to learn a whole new team and organization and hiring a staff and getting ready for a season from a blank page.

NoThanksSir wrote: Tue Feb 10, 2026 11:04 am Spytek confirming and thanking Mark for trusting him to spearhead the coach hiring process. Finally we're doing it the right way

For the first time in perhaps forever, we’re doing things the right way. Basically like a “grown up” normal franchise.

If it wasn’t the Rutabaga would have hired Deion three weeks ago and being angling a trade for his son. Hopefully he just sits in the owners box stuffing his face with cheesy poofs.

chucker wrote: Tue Feb 10, 2026 11:18 am I didn't see the panel walk out but that's awesome if Mark isn't up there. I'm sure that's an intentional decision by him and I respect it.

I hope Kubiak doesn't like relaxing because he doesn't have time for it - it's a crazy cycle to go from coaching all year up to and including the SB and then signing on with the Raiders and having to learn a whole new team and organization and hiring a staff and getting ready for a season from a blank page.

Mark is very self aware, and probably has seen some of the comments about him. I think the hate has been misguided since he's done nothing but try to be the opposite of his father. Obviously that still comes with some tough lessons, he certainly wasn't prepared for this, but he's pointed the org in the right direction and clearly wants what's best for the Raiders.