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.

[raidersince63]

That's pretty much the expression on my face when I first read the post.

[Viper]

While I don’t like late round picks at Qb and think AOC is capable, he’s likely a number 3 in this league. Having said that, I wouldn’t be opposed to picking a Beck, Nussemeir or Cade Klubnik later in the draft if they fall. I just think they have more upside than what we could field besides obviously Mendoza. Chambliss won’t be there but he’s another. The others I’ve mentioned probably won’t be either.

[Attyla]

While I don’t like late round picks at Qb and think AOC is capable, he’s likely a number 3 in this league. Having said that, I wouldn’t be opposed to picking a Beck, Nussemeir or Cade Klubnik later in the draft if they fall. I just think they have more upside than what we could field besides obviously Mendoza. Chambliss won’t be there but he’s another. The others I’ve mentioned probably won’t be either.

Nuss may go in the third, but he should not. Beck may go in the fourth. I don't have a good feeling on where Klubnik will go, but my guess is 4th or 5th. Chambliss is a day 2 guy but I would not take him there at all.

[Viper]

Nuss may go in the third, but he should not. Beck may go in the fourth. I don't have a good feeling on where Klubnik will go, but my guess is 4th or 5th. Chambliss is a day 2 guy but I would not take him there at all.

I just feel all of them offer more than what we currently have

[SuperRaider]

When the raiders draft Mendoza….he will be the starter from day one….he gotta start learning right away…

Guys like Mahomes and Jordan Love were not number one picks in the draft….so you can sit them for a year or two…

Raiders need to release Geno Smith and keep AOC as the backup…

Don’t think AOC will get any playing time; but he is a good backup QB for raiders and cheap…

[BoKnows81]

Man, this forum is hilarious sometimes. I am no Carr fan but the amount of abuse he gets compared to the love given to a f[raiders_icon]cking future grocery bagger in O'Connell is mind boggling.

If Aidan O'Connell is the #2 for this team in 2026, there's a major problem.

[chucker]

the one thing that gives me pause is Brady talking about how it works better if a QB sits for a while before playing. I don't want that to happen with Mendoza, but I honestly don't mind if we start the season with another guy under center to take the pressure off. I don't want to add a "good" backup just to accommodate that though.

[tatalalicious]

I know I'm over thinking things but I was mildly alarmed by how strongly Spytek objected to the idea of the Raiders being likey to take Mendoza when asked yesterday. I thought for second that they may actually be open to trading out of the pick.

[NewEraX25]

I know I'm over thinking things but I was mildly alarmed by how strongly Spytek objected to the idea of the Raiders being likey to take Mendoza when asked yesterday. I thought for second that they may actually be open to trading out of the pick.

Ehh there is pretty strict rules on how and when teams can contact draft prospects. Also there hasn't been any of the pro days, or combine, or medical evaluations yet. Spy is being smart with his words. I know it is foreign to us, but this is the right way to do it.

[Attyla]

Man, this forum is hilarious sometimes. I am no Carr fan but the amount of abuse he gets compared to the love given to a f[raiders_icon]cking future grocery bagger in O'Connell is mind boggling.

If Aidan O'Connell is the #2 for this team in 2026, there's a major problem.

O'Connell did not lose games to 31 individual teams. And nobody is loving the idea of him being a starter, everyone with one exception knows he is a backup.

That said, I do agree he should not be the main backup, but my reasoning has more to do with who Mendoza is sitting next to during the games

[BoKnows81]

O'Connell did not lose games to 31 individual teams. And nobody is loving the idea of him being a starter, everyone with one exception knows he is a backup.

That said, I do agree he should not be the main backup, but my reasoning has more to do with who Mendoza is sitting next to during the games

But that's my point. He's not even a #2.

[Attyla]

But that's my point. He's not even a #2.

But a number 3 has a place on a team, he is cheap to keep

[MexicanHulk]

Nuss may go in the third, but he should not. Beck may go in the fourth. I don't have a good feeling on where Klubnik will go, but my guess is 4th or 5th. Chambliss is a day 2 guy but I would not take him there at all.

Disagree. His stock obviously dropped from the previous season. But imo, his talent/ceiling is still the same. Rumors are that he played most of the season with an injury. Throw in the fact that the LSU team overall took a huge step back &, you could see how the regression could be explained away to an extent. I could easily see him going in the second &, justifiably so. There’s been some talk of him possibly going at the end of the first. I don’t know about that but, depends on those issues this past season. Is there truth to them or, was it all just him?

[MexicanHulk]

I’m in the, no to a veteran backup QB who will cost a lot (8+ is too much). No Flacco, no Cousins, no Willis, Mariota maybe (if under 7mil). I’d rather get Will Levis. Probably wouldn’t cost anything more than a 5th or 6th. With a good OC, coaching, & team (all better than what he’s has in Tenn), if he has to play for whatever reason, there’s actually upside there. Which could net you some value in trade after the season. I’d say the same for Trey Lance. Perfect type of low risk high upside types. I’d even draft Allar if he drops to the 5th or later. Doubt Nuss drops past the 3rd.

[Viper]

Nuss may go in the third, but he should not. Beck may go in the fourth. I don't have a good feeling on where Klubnik will go, but my guess is 4th or 5th. Chambliss is a day 2 guy but I would not take him there at all.

Taylen Green?