New Raiders Coach Labels His Star Tight End a ‘Football Robot From Heaven’

Leaning into religion to come up with nicknames is nothing new with NFL players. There’s Reggie White, who was The Minister of Defense. There’s Adrian Peterson, who was called Purple Jesus during his time with the Minnesota Vikings. There’s also David Jones, better known as Deacon Jones.

But new Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak may have taken it to another level with his star tight end, Brock Bowers. Kubiak is in his first year on the job, and the Raiders just began organized team activities on Wednesday. But what Kubiak has already seen of Bowers has the former offering the highest of praise—after the first OTA, he described Bowers as a “football robot from heaven.”

Adding that he meant robot “in a good way,” Kubiak said: “He’s a Cadillac out there. We’ve got to get the most out of Brock. Wherever he goes, he’s been successful in college and high school, whoever has coached him. So I can’t say enough great things about him, love his work ethic. He’s a standard bearer.”

Raiders fans are known for the eccentric and unique outfits they often wear to games, so perhaps one may see a fan or two dressed as a heavenly robot at some point next season in honor of Bowers.

Kubiak’s quote only magnifies what kind of potential the coach thinks Bowers has, and the tight end is already off to a historic start. As a rookie in 2024, he set NFL records for receptions (112) and receiving yards (1,194) by a first-year tight end. Both of those marks also led the position for that season. The 112 catches were not only the most for a rookie tight end but were the most for a rookie at any position in the 100-plus year history of the National Football League.

His sophomore season wasn’t as memorable as multiple injuries limited Bowers to just 12 games. But he still led Las Vegas in both catches (64) and receiving touchdowns (seven), while racking up 680 yards through the air.

Through his two NFL seasons, Bowers has 176 catches for 1,874 yards and 12 touchdowns, making the Pro Bowl in both years and being All-Pro First-Team as a rookie. Even with his time missed, no tight end in NFL history has more catches through his first two years than Bowers, as he’s 30 catches clear of second place.

But Kubiak isn’t the first new face on the Raiders to praise Bowers. Shortly after signing with Las Vegas, veteran QB Kirk Cousins said Bowers may already be the best player at his position, before the two even got to share a field.

“I think he may be the best tight end in football,” Cousins said of Bowers. “Hopefully, we can make that a reality this fall.”

“I’ve always really enjoyed playing with talented tight ends because of the curveball that it throws at defenses. I expect Brock to be as good of a curveball as I’ve ever played with. Can’t wait to see how we can use him and to get on the grass with him. Even routes on air, I think it’s going to be exciting to see a guy like that go to work.”

“Routes on air” refers to throwing drills with no defenders on the field.

Throughout his 14-year career, Cousins has played with a litany of Pro Bowl tight ends, from Vernon Davis to Kyle Pitts to T.J. Hockenson to Kyle Rudolph. So he knows firsthand what talent at the position looks like but believes Bowers has the potential to exceed any of them.

While it’s unknown how the moniker of “a football robot from heaven” sits with Bowers, he undoubtedly would be thrilled to be known as “the best tight end in football.” He is expected to begin the 2026 season catching passes from Cousins, but the latter should eventually give way to the No. 1 overall draft pick, Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.

Bowers and Mendoza, along with second-year running back Ashton Jeanty, are expected to be foundational pieces of the Raiders offense under Kubiak. The well-traveled coach is now with his sixth team in as many years, but he’s coming off as successful a season as an assistant coach could have. Last year as offensive coordinator of the Seahawks, he helped guide Seattle to a Super Bowl victory, and Kubiak was also named Coordinator of the Year.

This will be Kubiak’s first head coaching position at any level, but he comes from a football family. His father, Gary, won four Super Bowls as a coach, including one as the head coach of the 2015 Denver Broncos. Also, Klint’s brother Klay is the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, while another brother, Klein, is a scout for the Dallas Cowboys.