What Seattle Seahawks fans feared the most might become a reality. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is expected to be the Las Vegas Raiders' new head coach, and while there cannot be an official announcement until after the Super Bowl, only a shocking turn of events will change that.
Of course, Kubiak has earned his stripes and the right to lead a team of his own. He can now instill his high-flying offense on a young team like the Raiders. That said, losing him is a big blow to Mike Macdonald's coaching staff, especially if he poaches other assistant coaches with him.
That might be the case, especially with Aden Durde. He would be a no-brainer addition as defensive coordinator, and, given his current role with the Seahawks, he'd also be wise to follow Kubiak to Sin City.
The Seattle Seahawks might also lose defensive coordinator Aden Durde
Durde doesn't call defensive plays in Seattle; Coach Macdonald does. As such, joining Kubiak would be a promotion of sorts, even if the name tag reads the same position. Also, he'd probably have an even bigger input on the team.
As Gary Kubiak's son, Klint has been around the NFL for his entire life. Then again, younger coaches often struggle to poach high-end assistants with him to round up their coaching staffs. That's why trying to convince Durde to follow him should also be one of his main priorities.
Durde interviewed with the Cleveland Browns for their head coaching position earlier in the offseason. He's a rising star in the coaching scene, and taking over play-calling duties in Las Vegas might get him on the fast lane to secure a head coaching gig of his own in 2027.
Success comes with a price. We've seen countless contending teams lose one or both of their main assistant coaches during the same coaching cycle. Some of them, like the Philadelphia Eagles, usually stay afloat and competitive or return to contention in no time. Others, like the Detroit Lions, regress tremendously.
Still, with Macdonald being the main guy in charge of the defense, this team should do just fine even if Durde leaves. That's, of course, not to take anything away from him, but the Seahawks have one of the best defensive play-callers and sharpest defensive minds leading the way for them.
And, with little to no top-tier candidates to take the job at this point in the offseason, the Seahawks will most likely promote from within.