Raiders' HC Kubiak raves about Mendoza's supporting cast

But the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft has a trio of offensive standouts he can lean upon for help.

If the Raiders' rebuild is going to work, Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers and Tyler Linderbaum will be at the centre of it all.

Klint Kubiak, installed as the new Las Vegas head coach after winning Super Bowl LX with the Seattle Seahawks, has already been raving about all three.

Ethan Miller / Staff

Jeanty is already the backfield veteran

Jeanty is only 22, was drafted just last year, and he's already had more carries than every other back on the roster combined.

Despite moments like the one above, many would deem his rookie season a forgettable one, as he managed only 3.7 yards per carry behind a struggling offensive line on a team that finished 3-14.

Kubiak doesn't see it that way, praising Jeanty for his ability to adjust to the pro-level pace.

"It's definitely slowing down, and I think it's also just repetition as well. The more you rep it, the more the game slows down."

The Raiders drafted Arkansas running back Mike Washington in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but Kubiak made it clear Jeanty is in the driving seat.

"The best player has got to play, and we've got to get them on the field as much as we can," he explained.

"I don't know the play-snap percentage, but you look at [49ers running back] Christian McCaffrey, his play-snap percentage is high. So, those great backs, they don't want to come off the field."

Jeanty's response tells us the two are on the same page.

"Obviously, I want to help the team win as much as I can, and if I don't have to, I don't want to come off the field," he said.

Kubiak on Bowers: 'A football robot from heaven'

Then there's Brock Bowers, who, with 112 catches and 1,194 yards in his rookie year, earned a Pro Bowl berth and set new records not only for most receptions by a rookie tight end, but also by a rookie at any position.

The 23-year-old missed a large part of last season with a knee injury, but he comes into 2026 with high expectations.

Kubiak loves what Bowers brings to the table.

"He's kind of a football robot, in a good way," Kubiak said. "He's a football robot from heaven. He's a Cadillac out there. We've got to get the most out of Brock.

"I can't say enough great things about him. Love his work ethic. He's a standard bearer."

Linderbaum is 'running the show'

The Raiders' offensive line was a mess last year. Defenders were meeting Jeanty in the backfield on a regular basis, and then-quarterback Geno Smith wasn't faring any better. Something had to change.

The quarterback situation was overhauled, of course, with Smith jettisoned in favour of veteran Kirk Cousins and Mendoza.

But the offensive line was also addressed in a big way with the signing of former Ravens' center Tyler Linderbaum.

Unfazed by the price tag involved, Kubiak loves what he sees.

"That quiet confidence," Kubiak said of the three-time Pro Bowler. "Just a man out there, running the show. Very athletic player, but a grown man."

What Mendoza is walking into

Kubiak wants Mendoza to learn behind Cousins first, but that arrangement won't last long. With every Cousins loss and Mendoza practice highlight, the clamour to see the rookie start will grow and grow.

When his moment comes, Jeanty will be eating up yards on the ground, Bowers will be his favourite target, and Linderbaum will be keeping him on his feet.

Mendoza's work is underway at OTAs.

But while Kubiak is pleased with the early returns, he warns that the real challenge is yet to come.

"We're off to a solid start. Everyone's undefeated right now, right? But we know sooner or later that it's going to get really competitive and we've got to find out who the guys are we can count on in those stressful situations."

In Mendoza, Jeanty, Bowers, and Linderbaum, there are four such players Kubiak can count on. The harder part is filling the needs elsewhere on the roster. Maybe they'll give Stefon Diggs or Deebo Samuel a call?