Raiders coach Klint Kubiak urges players to embrace pre-game nerves
New Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak says feeling anxious before a game is a sign of readiness and should be embraced by his roster.
Klint Kubiak, the Raiders' newly appointed head coach, emphasized that pre-game jitters are a positive indicator of commitment. Drawing on his lifelong exposure to the sport, he explained that a lack of nervousness might suggest a player is not fully engaged. The team currently carries 90 players in the offseason, a third of whom are rookies or first-year athletes, while only 53 will make the regular-season roster.
Because cuts from other teams also affect the pool, the competition for a spot is fierce. Kubiak stressed that the adrenaline from those "butterfly feelings" can boost performance and help players seize crucial opportunities during the preseason.
Why it matters
Understanding the coach's mindset highlights how mental preparation influences roster battles in the NFL.
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