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Raiders Add Final Piece to Klint Kubiak's Coaching Staff
Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In Klint Kubiak, the Las Vegas Raiders found the first-time head coach with proven offensive playcalling ability in today's National Football League that they were looking for. Las Vegas' front office has been adamant about its plans to give Kubiak what he needed to be successful.

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Most, if not all, front offices say they want to equip their coaching staff with the tools they need to succeed, but that is not always the case. It certainly has not always been the case for the Raiders in recent years. This offseason, Las Vegas has taken several tangible steps to improve.

The arrival of Kubiak has already improved Las Vegas' coaching staff from what it was in the past three seasons. Between Kubiak's proven playcalling abilities and the Raiders' combined record of 15-36 over the past three seasons, largely because of poor coaching.

Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

In the immediate, the past three seasons' worth of Raiders head coaches have set the bar low for Kubiak. Additionally, he has already been given arguably the best roster the Raiders have had in the past three seasons, and they still have 10 draft picks coming.

Las Vegas' front office improved the roster and the coaching staff across the board. Kubiak, Andrew Janocko, and the rest of the Raiders' offensive coaching staff will improve the growing Raiders' offense. It was recently announced that the coaching staff has made another addition.

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The Raiders are all but guaranteed to draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft. In addition to a significantly improved roster, Mendoza will address the Raiders' quarterback issues on the field. They have brought in more help for Mendoza off the field.

League insider Mike Garafolo reported that the Raiders have hired Mike Sullivan as their quarterbacks coach under Kubiak. Sullivan is a two-time Super Bowl champion and has worked with multiple notable quarterbacks and teams around the National Football League.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

"The Raiders are hiring a QB coach after all. Mike Sullivan has been tabbed to work with presumptive No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, sources tell The Insiders," Garafolo said.

"It’ll be Sullivan’s fifth stint as a QB coach — two with the New York Giants, one each with the [Pittsburgh Steelers] and the [Denver] Broncos."

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Raiders' single most pressing issue over the past few seasons has been the quarterback position. Several factors aside from the quarterbacks they have started recently have played into those struggles, but poor play from those quarterbacks has been the main issue.

Mendoza will have his growing pains, no doubt. The same can be said about Kubiak and the Raiders, as a whole in 2026. However, with the new additions the Raiders have made, and will make, such as Sullivan, it is hard to deny the progress Las Vegas has made in a short amount of time.

Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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