Could the Shanahan coaching tree grow another branch this offseason?
49ers offensive coordiantor Klay Kubiak's coaching ascent has accelerated faster than almost anyone anticipated, and it’s now putting him squarely on the NFL’s head coaching radar.
The San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator has emerged as a legitimate candidate for multiple vacancies, with both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders expressing interest as they continue their searches for a new leader.
Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer reports that the Raiders are set to interview Kubiak on Sunday, signaling just how quickly his profile has risen around the league.
The Steelers are also tracking Kubiak closely, though a formal interview date has not yet been confirmed.
Regardless of timing, the attention itself represents a significant leap for a coach who many believed was still a few years away from serious head-coaching conversations.
Now in his fifth season with the 49ers and his first year calling the shots as offensive coordinator, Kubiak delivered strong results in challenging circumstances.
San Francisco finished the regular season ranked seventh in total offense, 10th in points scored, fifth in passing yards, and 24th in rushing.
Those numbers stand out even more considering the steady stream of injuries that disrupted the unit throughout the year.
The 49ers were forced to adapt early and often on offense. Brock Purdy missed extended time, pushing backup quarterback Mac Jones into the starting role for nearly half the season.
Jones responded with a 5–3 record as a starter, keeping the offense afloat and the team competitive.
First-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall battled availability issues, George Kittle missed multiple games, and San Francisco navigated the entire season without Brandon Aiyuk, one of the team’s most expensive and explosive offensive weapons.
Despite those obstacles, the offense improved its scoring output from the previous year, a reflection of Kubiak’s ability to adjust weekly game plans and maximize the personnel available.
His steady hand helped preserve the structure of Kyle Shanahan’s offense while adding subtle wrinkles that allowed different players to step into featured roles.
Kubiak’s path through the coaching ranks has been rapid but deliberate. He joined the 49ers in 2021 as a defensive quality control coach before moving to assistant quarterbacks coach.
After two seasons working closely with the team’s passers, he became the offensive passing game specialist, setting the stage for his promotion last offseason when Shanahan reshaped his staff and officially reinstated the offensive coordinator position.
There is also a familiar football lineage behind Kubiak’s rise.
His father, Gary Kubiak, served multiple stints as an NFL head coach, while his brother, Klint Kubiak, has been tied to several openings after orchestrating one of the league’s most productive offenses with Seattle in 2025.
While Klay Kubiak lacks the lengthy résumé of some candidates, the Steelers have historically embraced bold hires.
Mike Tomlin himself became head coach with just one year of coordinator experience.
Now, Kubiak appears poised to follow a similar trajectory as his first head coaching interview becomes a reality.