andrew janocko
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Las Vegas Raiders OC Andrew Janocko.
The Las Vegas Raiders have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which they will likely use on a quarterback. The franchise can’t afford to mess up the development of an exciting young quarterback, which was a big reason why they hired Klint Kubiak to be the head coach.
He has extensive experience as an offensive coordiantor and he will call the plays for the Raiders. However, his offensive coordinator will still have a big say over the offense.
The team announced that former Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko will be Kubiak’s offensive coordinator. He has worked with Kubiak at multiple stops, and the two are said to be very close.
Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr worked with both Kubiak and Janocko when they were all with the New Orleans Saints. He said Janocko and Kubiak are like “peanut butter and jelly,” and had some high praise for the new Raiders offensive coordinator.
“Andrew Janocko … love him,” Carr said on the “Home Grown” podcast. “House music playing as soon as you walk in the room. … But it says something when all of the quarterbacks you’ve had continue to love you, like talk to you and want to have a relationship. And he helped me play great football.”
Raiders Offense Should Be Very QB Friendly
The Raiders are taking some big steps to make life easier for likely No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. Kubak runs an offensive system that many have deemed quarterback-friendly.
He’s now hired a longtime quarterbacks coach to be the offensive coordinator. He’ll likely work very closely with Mendoza if he’s the pick. Getting the quarterback right would be a major jump-start to the rebuild.
The Raiders are taking the coaching side of things very seriously, but they have some major roster deficiencies on offense that need to be addressed. The team needs to spend big money on the offensive line and should work to find another starting wide receiver. Even if the coaching and system are perfect for Mendoza, he’s not going to be able to do much if he’s getting hit every play.
Raiders Hire Travis Smith
The Raiders continue to build out their staff and have added a familiar face. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Las Vegas has hired Travis Smith to be its defensive line coach. He spent last season as the run game coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.
He should be very familiar with the Raiders franchise. He spent 10 seasons from 2012 to 2021 with the team in various roles. He was not on the staff with new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard.
Defensive end Maxx Crosby should be happy to see a familiar face. He would’ve been coached by Smith for three seasons. Considering the trade rumors, this should be another coaching hire that could potentially help keep Crosby happy.
Regardless, he’s an experienced coach who now replaces Leonard, who was the defensive line coach before getting promoted to defensive coordinator. With Smith as the run game coordinator, the Titans were 15th in rush yards allowed last season.