Why Chiefs Watching Closely as Raiders Begin Releasing Assistants

The Kansas City Chiefs have eyes on a potential RB coach

Dec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith (24) scores a touchdown as Denver Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad (40) attempts to tackle at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Klint Kubiak could’ve used a clone this week.

Until he becomes the next Raiders head coach, Kubiak is Seattle’s offensive coordinator with one big game remaining. But the business of football rolls on in Las Vegas, where Kubiak has to quickly assemble his first coaching staff -- and the Chiefs are watching.

Feb 4, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak speaks to the media at the San Jose Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Raiders begin trimming staff

The Raiders on Friday reportedly moved on from several members of their 2025 coaching staff, officially removing them from their team website. But the assistant the Chiefs are monitoring closely, still with the team, is running backs coach Deland McCullough.

Late last week, Andy Reid submitted an official request to interview McCullough for the Chiefs’ running-backs position. The Raiders, who met with Kubiak last weekend to reportedly finalize his verbal acceptance of their head-coach offer, either ghosted the Chiefs or declined the McCullough request.

Notre Dame running backs coach Deland McCullough confers with freshman RB Jeremiyah Love during Notre Dame football fall camp Thursday, July 27, 2023, at the LaBar Practice Complex in South Bend. | Greg Swiercz / USA TODAY NETWORK

Now, after Friday’s coaching moves, Kubiak and the Raiders appear to want McCullough retained. Once Kubiak’s own contract is finalized and he has an opportunity to sit down with McCullough in Las Vegas, keeping the important coach could become official.

Las Vegas fired Carroll after the season and obviously doesn’t want its division rival poaching an assistant under contract. But if Kubiak has his own running backs coach in mind, or doesn’t want to promote McCullough to assistant head coach or offensive coordinator, McCullough might be headed back to Kansas City after all.

Jan 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Poaching assistant from division rival

The situation is intriguing because McCullough has history with the Chiefs, having served as Reid’s running backs coach from 2018-20. He also worked closely with Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame, a running back who could fall to the Chiefs at No. 9 overall in the draft. And most importantly, the Chiefs need a significant improvement in their run game.

Last season, Kansas City ranked last in the league with only three carries of 20-or-more yards.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) is wrapped up by multiple Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. | Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

But the Raiders no doubt see McCullough’s value, too. Las Vegas drafted its own first-round running back in 2025, Ashton Jeanty, and watched him pace all NFL rookies in both rushing yards (975) and carries (266), while scoring five touchdowns. A starter in all 17 games, Jeanty compiled 1,321 scrimmage yards, with 346 yards and another five touchdowns on 55 catches. He had only two fumbles in 321 touches.

Jan 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll leaves the field after the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Las Vegas on Friday reportedly cut ties with 12 of Carroll’s assistants: Greg Olson (QB coach/interim OC), Nate Carroll (Asst. QB coach), Brennan Carroll (OL coach/run game coordinator), Chris Beatty (WR coach), Andy Dickerson (Asst. OL coach), Kyle Fuller (quality control), Joe Philbin (senior offensive assistant), John Glenn (ILB coach), Tyrone McKenzie (Asst. LB coach), Marcus Robertson (DB coach), Beyah Rasool (Asst. DB coach) and Kade Rannings (Asst. ST coordinator).

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