Raiders' Kubiak Says In 'Perfect World' Rookie QB Won't Start Week 1 amid Fernando Mendoza Rumors

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak floated the idea that Fernando Mendoza may not be the Week 1 starter if the team picks the Indiana quarterback in the 2026 NFL draft.

"I think in a perfect world, he's watching a mature adult go and run an offense and run the team," Kubiak told reporters Tuesday when speaking generally about a rookie QB. "But, the situation is, you might have that player, you might not have that veteran to show him the way. So he might come in and have to play immediately. But you'd rather him learn, learn before he gets in the game. You don't always get to pick. It doesn't work out the exact way you want it to.

"But at the end of the day, you want to make sure you're bringing in an individual, drafting a guy that's mature enough to handle some adversity — whether it's him starting the first game or him starting the first game Year 2."

As much as Kubiak might prefer to give Mendoza — assuming he's the choice at No. 1 — a more gradual transition to the NFL, the pressure to start the Heisman Trophy winner straight away will be intense.

Fernando Mendoza Heisman Reel

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Where Mendoza fits into the depth chart is going to be an ongoing subplot of training camp, and the state of Las Vegas' QB room means people will ask even more questions if he's not emerging as the favorite on the practice field.

After they traded Geno Smith to the New York Jets, Aidan O'Connell is the only quarterback on the Raiders roster.

Through three seasons, O'Connell has thrown for 3,932 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 21 appearances. Fairly or not, some fans are going to jump to conclusions if the coaching staff believes that's a better option over Mendoza to start out.

Should the Raiders go out and sign Kirk Cousins, for example, the conversation would shift a bit. One could more easily get behind the idea of Cousins keeping the seat warm while Mendoza learns the ropes.

Barring another addition like that, the Raiders are seemingly clearing a path for Mendoza to be QB1.