Raiders’ Klint Kubiak already has the perfect understanding of what star tight end Brock Bowers is really about
The Las Vegas Raiders have their head coach in Klint Kubiak, but they also have their tight end in Brock Bowers.
The Las Vegas Raiders are entering OTAs with a rookie head coach. But Klint Kubiak isn’t just any rookie head coach. Kubiak is coming off winning a Super Bowl as an offensive coordinator. Not to mention, he’s starting his head coaching career with a franchise rookie QB.
Oh, and I forgot to mention he gets to have Maxx Crosby, Brock Bowers, and Ashton Jeanty. This is a job that is perfect for a rookie head coach if everything is done the right way. And, Kubiak is quickly figuring that out. He’s already realizing that he’s got something most rookie head coaches don’t—the best tight end in the league, and a security blanket.
“He’s kind of a football robot in a good way,” Kubiak said of Bowers during OTAs. “He’s a football robot from heaven; he’s a Cadillac out there. We’ve got to get the most out of Brock [Bowers]. Wherever he goes, he’s been successful in college and high school with whoever’s coached him. Can’t say enough great things about him. Love his work ethic. He is a standard bearer.”
Bowers had a bit of a down year last season, but who didn’t on this team? He’s still the best tight end in the league, with Kelce being on a decline with age, and George Kittle always being hurt. In Kubiak’s offense, he could have an amazing year—even better than his rookie year.
Kubiak will make Bowers a focal point of the offense
Kubiak isn’t necessarily known for using tight ends at an elite rate, but the Raiders don’t have a No. 1 WR. Bowers will serve as that in a way. If he’s open, the Raiders are going to throw the ball to him. And, here’s the thing: He’s always going to be open, or as open as a player can be.
Last year, the Seattle Seahawks ran 278 snaps on offense in 12 personnel, or two tight ends on the field at once. That was the 14th-most in the league and had the 0th-best success rate, per Sports Info Solutions. This doesn’t mean the Raiders will use Bowers more, or anything like that, but it shows you that Kubiak, who coordinated that offense, likes tight ends.
We have seen Bowers do some pretty crazy things. It seems like Kubiak is starting to see some of those things as well.