The QB Room - 2026

[Willmark]

Some thoughts here but first some assumptions:
1. Geno Smith is cut; likely a Post June 1st cut.
2. Kubiak’s system means he’s selecting for what works not who’s available, more on that below.

QB1- unless we do something truly dumb it’s Mendoza and starting from Day 1.

QB2- this may sound funny or odd, but there is a former heismann trophy winning, back up QB who fits Kubiak’s system and can help mentor Mendoza without an ego about it: former Raider Marcus Mariota.

At this stage Mariota is a URFA, knows the ropes of being an NFL QB an the pressures of being in the NFL as a hesismann winner. Plus he knows his role at this stage of his career.

QB3- while I like AOC12 I don’t see him functioning well in Kubiak’s offense. His issues of not seeing things fast enough in real time has still not gone away. Add to this he’s now several regimes away from when he was drafted.

Pickett? Likely gone still searching for another team to get a chance to start.

So that leaves a late round pick, UDFA or development.

Juts some thoughts, obviously Smith being cut is likely and Mendoza getting drafted.

And might as well address this: the one thing that should not happen? Bringing back the “former guy”. He’s not a fit for the system and doubt he could accept being the backup. Also let’s not turn this into another thread about him; there is a thread devoted solely for that on the site.

Add your thoughts.

[RickRyb]

IF The Raiders keep Geno, it would mean they are not expecting Mendoza starting Week 1.

[raiderjohn]

AOC will be in the last year of his rookie deal, sportrac estimates his cap hit will be 3.8M.

Mariota raked in 8M on a 1 year deal with the Redskins. (would not mind signing him up for a year to start until Mendoza is ready)

Geno if release counts, 18M

Mendoza 9M hit (basing this on Cam Wards 8M cap hit)

That will be 38-39M in the QB room.

[chucker]

IF The Raiders keep Geno, it would mean they are not expecting Mendoza starting Week 1.

I don't think there's any chance the Raiders keep Geno. The decision will be very clear at the beginning of FA, as he has another $8 million guaranteed if they don't cut him right away.

[Sir Raider Duck, OMS]

I'm sure Kubiak wants Geno's bad attitude nowhere near the locker room.

AOC is a good backup and could adequately mentor Mendoza, but if Mendoza went down for a few games, he's not who you'd want starting.

Mariota would be an excellent mentor and could win you a game or two while Mendoza recovers.

[BoKnows81]

IF The Raiders keep Geno, it would mean they are not expecting Mendoza starting Week 1.

[Attyla]

I'm sure Kubiak wants Geno's bad attitude nowhere near the locker room.

AOC is a good backup and could adequately mentor Mendoza, but if Mendoza went down for a few games, he's not who you'd want starting.

Mariota would be an excellent mentor and could win you a game or two while Mendoza recovers.

I want a QB room with some experience, but I also want a QB backup who can look at the screens to diagnose what happened. i am not sure that is O'Connell. Mariota? Maybe but we might be able to do better

[Dr Death]

Mendoza will be the day 1 starter. Stop with the "until he's ready" shit.

[Corleone]

IF The Raiders keep Geno, it would mean they are not expecting Mendoza starting Week 1.

Bro, it’s lucky we don’t have a thumbs down button because this post could have broken our server.

[RickRyb]

Bro, it’s lucky we don’t have a thumbs down button because this post could have broken our server.

Why? It was just an "IF" statement. Again, "IF" Geno is still on the roster what would be the reason? I know nobody wants him on the roster, I don't want him on the roster, but what do the decision makes want?

[HesterLayes]

Didn’t Brady say he isn’t a fan of QBs starting day one? I agree with that as well..I liked when a guy sat and watched and learned although it didn’t happen often..Mahomes,McNair were a couple I remember.

Haven’t looked at his situation lately,but if Cousins was available that would be a nice fit.Kubiak has worked with him..but who knows about that guy? Seems like a solid dude,but he may think he is still a long time starter and not willing to be a mentor..I have no idea.I mean he isn’t great,but if we could play the Bucs every week it may work

[riseNraid09]

Didn’t Brady say he isn’t a fan of QBs starting day one? I agree with that as well..I liked when a guy sat and watched and learned although it didn’t happen often..Mahomes,McNair were a couple I remember.

Haven’t looked at his situation lately,but if Cousins was available that would be a nice fit.Kubiak has worked with him..but who knows about that guy? Seems like a solid dude,but he may think he is still a long time starter and not willing to be a mentor..I have no idea.I mean he isn’t great,but if we could play the Bucs every week it may work

but Mendoza doesn't need to sit and learn... he needs snaps.

[16 to 88]

Didn’t Brady say he isn’t a fan of QBs starting day one? I agree with that as well..I liked when a guy sat and watched and learned although it didn’t happen often..Mahomes,McNair were a couple I remember.

Haven’t looked at his situation lately,but if Cousins was available that would be a nice fit.Kubiak has worked with him..but who knows about that guy? Seems like a solid dude,but he may think he is still a long time starter and not willing to be a mentor..I have no idea.I mean he isn’t great,but if we could play the Bucs every week it may work

First round QB's to not start week 1
Kenny Pickett
Trey Lance
Justin Fields
Mac Jones
Jordan Love
Justin Herbert
Tua
Dewayne Haskins
Daniel Jones
Mahomes (Reid)
Lamar Jackson
Josh Allen
Josh Rosen
Deshaun Watson
Mitchell Trubisky
Aaron Rodgers
Philip Rivers
Carson Palmer
Donovan McNabb (Reid)
Troy Aikman
Jay Cutler
Matt Leinart
Alex Smith
JaMarcus Russell
Brady Quinn
And a whole bunch of others

First overall selections
Troy Aikman
Drew Bledsoe
Steve McNair
Tim couch
Carson Palmer
Alex Smith
JaMarcus Russell
Jared Goff
Baker Mayfield
I'm sure there are others

[HesterLayes]

Your list is a little off

[srv5490]

First round QB's to not start week 1
Kenny Pickett
Trey Lance
Justin Fields
Mac Jones
Jordan Love
Justin Herbert
Tua
Dewayne Haskins
Daniel Jones
Mahomes (Reid)
Lamar Jackson
Josh Allen
Josh Rosen
Deshaun Watson
Mitchell Trubisky
Aaron Rodgers
Philip Rivers
Carson Palmer
Donovan McNabb (Reid)
Troy Aikman
Jay Cutler
Matt Leinart
Alex Smith
JaMarcus Russell
Brady Quinn
And a whole bunch of others

First overall selections
Troy Aikman
Drew Bledsoe
Steve McNair
Tim couch
Carson Palmer
Alex Smith
JaMarcus Russell
Jared Goff
Baker Mayfield
I'm sure there are others

A couple of things to bear in mind when looking at that list:

- The college game has changed a lot, and most of these guys are running some variation of a pro-style offense there.

- Mendoza is a different guy from most prospects - his pro-readiness is probably top-5 all-time, similar to Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck. His ceiling will be dictated by his athleticism, not his understanding of the game, or his preparation.