Raiders Coach Klint Kubiak Hints at Offensive Line Changes
A one-word response from Kubiak suggests the struggling Raiders offensive line may see adjustments.
Following a four-game losing streak, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has indicated a willingness to make changes to the team's offense, particularly along the offensive line. When asked about potential adjustments and the possibility of rookie Trey Zuhn III receiving more playing time, Kubiak offered a terse "Yes."
The Raiders' offensive struggles have been a significant factor in their recent performance, with the inability to establish a consistent running game being a primary concern. Reports indicate that interior offensive linemen are frequently being overpowered, hindering the team's overall offensive production.
Performance metrics from Pro Football Focus highlight these issues. Left guard Spencer Burford is ranked 58th out of 74 qualifying guards with a 51.6 overall grade. Jackson Powers-Johnson is 63rd at 48.1, and Caleb Rogers is 72nd at 42.7. These grades encompass various aspects of their performance, but their struggles in opening running lanes are particularly problematic.
In run blocking specifically, Burford ranks 56th, Rogers 66th, and Powers-Johnson 70th among the same group of guards. The Raiders' rushing attack is currently the third-worst in the NFL, averaging just 3.0 yards per carry and accumulating only 523 yards through seven games.
Both Powers-Johnson and Rogers have seen time at right guard, but neither has definitively claimed the position. The team's offensive line, including veteran center Tyler Linderbaum, acquired in free agency, has not consistently provided the necessary support for the run game. Linderbaum himself is graded 20th among 35 qualifying centers overall, with a 60.4 mark, and 15th in run blocking.
Kubiak's brief response suggests that the team is actively evaluating options to improve the offensive line's performance. While "Yes" does not guarantee a starting role for Zuhn, it signals that the current lineup is not considered set and that other players will be given opportunities to prove themselves. The Raiders, after a 3-0 start, are seeking solutions to reverse their current four-game losing skid.