Raiders Hire New Head Coach
The Las Vegas Raiders have officially appointed former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator,Klint Kubiak, as their new head coach following the Super Bowl. This hire indicates a transition towards the offensive strategies employed by Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay, emphasizing a wide-zone focused rushing attack paired with numerous play-action concepts in their passing game, which Kubiak is well-acquainted with.
Assessing Current Roster Fits
With this strategic shift, it raises the question of which players on the current Raiders roster might struggle to adapt to this new system. Ultimately, this discussion may be irrelevant as the Raiders are anticipated to use the top overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to select Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who aligns well with Kubiak’s offensive style. However, those supporters hoping that a new coaching regime might develop the 2023 fourth-round pick, O’Connell, into a reliable starter may find themselves disappointed.
Quarterback Performance Statistics
Statistics from Pro Football Focus indicate that Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold ranked ninth with a play-action rate of 27.6% among QBs with a minimum of 340 dropbacks in the 2025 regular season and achieved a commendable passing grade of 90.4 on those plays.
O’Connell’s Stats and Accuracy Issues
In contrast, when O’Connell started seven games and played nine overall in 2024, he maintained a lower play-action rate of 23.4% and recorded a passing grade of merely 49.9, ranking nearly last among qualifying quarterbacks. His performance was slightly better during his rookie season, achieving a 69.7 grade, albeit still in the lower echelon of league quarterbacks.
Challenges with Intermediate Passing
Additionally, O’Connell’s proficiency in the intermediate passing game is a concern. He had an adjusted completion percentage of 52.9% in 2024 and 59.4% in 2023 for passes between 10 to 19 yards, a crucial aspect of Kubiak’s offensive strategy. Comparatively, Darnold attempted similar passes 21.4% of the time with an adjusted completion rate of 68.6%.
Concerns About Glaze’s Fit
It’s evident that offensive tackle DJ Glaze needs to significantly enhance his pass protection skills, regardless of the offensive scheme. He was tied for the second-most pressures allowed in the previous season with 48, as noted by PFF. Concerns about his athleticism and speed control against rushers have persisted since college.
Potential for Improvement and Adaptation
While Kubiak’s play-action system could alleviate some pass protection issues, Glaze’s fit as a run blocker is questionable. The wide-zone scheme necessitates agile offensive tackles capable of reaching block edge defenders or blocking linebackers in space, which isn’t Glaze’s forte. His performance might be better suited in a gap-heavy scheme, suggesting that moving him to guard could provide a more suitable role in the Raiders’ new offensive approach.
