Raiders Coach Favors Veteran QB Over Rookie Early in Season

Klint Kubiak hesitant to start top draft pick Fernando Mendoza right away

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:05am

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Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak indicated he would prefer to have rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the likely No. 1 overall pick, learn behind an experienced veteran rather than start him immediately. Kubiak believes rookie QBs benefit from observing a mature player before taking the field.

Why it matters

The Raiders have struggled to find consistent quarterback play in recent years, missing the playoffs since 2002. Kubiak's comments suggest the team may prioritize stability over potential upside by starting a veteran over the highly touted Mendoza early in the 2026 season.

The details

Kubiak, who was hired as Raiders head coach in February after winning a Super Bowl as the Seahawks' offensive coordinator, said 'ideally, you don't want him to start from Day 1' in reference to Mendoza. The Raiders currently have only one other QB on the roster, Aidan O'Connell, after trading Geno Smith and losing Kenny Pickett to free agency. Veteran options like Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo and Russell Wilson remain unsigned.

  • Kubiak was named Raiders head coach in February 2026.
  • Mendoza led Indiana to the College Football Playoff national title in January 2026.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft, where Mendoza is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick, is scheduled for April 2026.

The players

Klint Kubiak

The head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, hired in February 2026 after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks and helping them win the Super Bowl.

Fernando Mendoza

A highly touted quarterback prospect who led Indiana to the College Football Playoff national title in January 2026 and is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which the Raiders hold.

Aidan O'Connell

The only other quarterback currently on the Raiders' roster after the team traded Geno Smith and lost Kenny Pickett to free agency.

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What they’re saying

“'Ideally, you don't want him to start from Day 1. You'd love him to be able to learn behind somebody. That's in a perfect world. It doesn't always work out that way. Sometimes they have to play from Day 1, and it's our job as coaches to get them ready to go. I think it does help the player if they can sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show.'”

— Klint Kubiak, Raiders Head Coach

What’s next

The Raiders will have to decide whether to select Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and, if so, whether to start him immediately or have him learn behind a veteran quarterback.

The takeaway

Kubiak's comments suggest the Raiders may prioritize stability and experience at quarterback over the potential upside of starting Mendoza right away, even though he is widely projected to be the top pick. This approach could help Mendoza's development, but it also carries risks if the veteran option does not provide a significant upgrade over the team's recent QB play.