Top NFL Draft pick could initially sit behind veteran QB, Raiders coach says
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Las Vegas could be Fernando Mendoza’s first NFL stop. However, if he joins the Raiders as a rookie, he could be cleared early, per coach Klint Kubiak’s wishes.
Mendoza led Indiana to its first College Football Playoff national title in January and is projected as the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft by the Raiders.
Klint Kubiak was named Raiders head coach in February, shortly after helping lead the franchise to its second Super Bowl championship as offensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks.
Kubiak believes it’s helpful for rookie quarterbacks to get input from a veteran player before seeing game action.
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Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak speaks during his introductory press conference at the Intermountain Health Performance Center on February 10, 2026 in Henderson, Nev. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
“Ideally you don’t want him to start on Day 1,” Kubiak told reporters Tuesday. “You want someone to be able to learn from behind them. That’s in a perfect world. It doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes they have to play from day one and it’s our job as a coach to get them ready. I think it helps the player to sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show.”
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Aidan O’Connell became the only other quarterback on the Raiders’ roster after the team traded Geno Smith and signed Kenny Pickett to the Panthers. Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo and Russell Wilson are among the unsigned experienced players.
The Raiders’ playoff win drought dates back to the 2002 season, when the franchise won the AFC championship.
Kubiak pointed to Fernando Mendoza’s performance when asked about the quarterback.
“He’s a national champion. He’s a winner,” Kubiak said of Mendoza. “He’s fast. He’s smart.”
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza throws a pass against Miami during the first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
On defense, the Raiders still have five-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Maxx Crosby after his trade to Baltimore was canceled due to a failed physical.
Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak speaks to the media before the Super Bowl at the San Jose Convention Center on February 5, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
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Kubiak said he smiled when general manager John Spytek broke the news to him that the deal was off.
“We got Maxx back. Are you kidding? This is great. Our team just got better,” Kubiak said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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