For Klint Kubiak, Raiders, its no longer business as usual: Hes kind of hard to read

HENDERSON, Nev.— The Raiders put a bow on their offseason program Wednesday after concluding their first minicamp under new head coach Klint Kubiak.The tone set by Kubiak was far more detail-oriented and serious than recent Raiders offseasons, a clear sign that it’s no longer business as usual in Las Vegas.Players described the environment under Kubiak as urgent, competitive and high energy.“He’s kind of hard to read a little bit, but that’s a good thing.

I think I’m kind of hard to read, too,” new Raiders linebacker Quay Walker said.“He’s a coach who wants the team to be player-led.”Plenty of focus was on quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in the NFL draft, but there were plenty of other stories as well.Here are three observations:The Raiders’ connection to Kirk Cousins, which includes him working with Kubiak and new Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko during their time together with the Vikings, made him a logical choice to serve as the veteran mentor to Mendoza and the potential bridge quarterback to cover Mendoza’s development process.The question was, which version of Cousins were the Raiders getting? The one closer to the player he was pre-2023 Achilles tendon injury, or the one who seemed to be handcuffed by the setback the last two years in Atlanta?That included an infamous night during the 2024 season when Cousins struggled to maneuver around the pocket in a game against the Raiders in Las Vegas.

He was benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr.soon after.“I did not move well that night,” Cousins said.Cousins has looked far closer to his former self throughout the offseason, as evidenced not only by how he’s moving and throwing with velocity and accuracy, but also how he’s verbally giving it to his defensive teammates during team periods.“I definitely think every day, week, month, there’s been progress since I first tore my Achilles, and it’s been a progression, and I just keep learning m...