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.

[Motown Raider]

Jameis Winston I heard was a great mentor for Jaxson Dart last season. I wonder if he is available

[heavyD]

Jameis Winston I heard was a great mentor for Jaxson Dart last season. I wonder if he is available

I think he’s under contract for another season with the Giants.

[Reno Hightower]

I would prefer to see an experienced journeyman type player that could be a mentor. Those guy are worth their weight in gold right now. Trubisky could fit that mold. Mariotta would be another option, probably the best available option. Jake Browning is also another interesting name though he doesn't have a ton of experience and he wouldn't be an upgrade over Aidan O'Connell and I do like O'Connell in a backup capacity.

Joe Flacco?

[chucker]

Flacco wants to play..... and he said he's happy to wait to see if that opportunity materializes and happy to hang them up if it doesn't. I don't think he'd see being on a team with the #1 overall pick as an opportunity to play. His mentorship did help turn Shedeur Sanders into a "pro bowler" though right?

[Attyla]

Flacco wants to play..... and he said he's happy to wait to see if that opportunity materializes and happy to hang them up if it doesn't. I don't think he'd see being on a team with the #1 overall pick as an opportunity to play. His mentorship did help turn Shedeur Sanders into a "pro bowler" though right?

And a franchise QB too!!

[BoJacksonRules]

Flacco, Winston, Trebisky???? Might as well retain Geno then.
AOC win be # 2, at least for this year.

[Willmark]

And a franchise QB too!!

They should be reserving his place in Canton now!

[Attyla]

Flacco, Winston, Trebisky???? Might as well retain Geno then.
AOC win be # 2, at least for this year.

You are not looking for a backup in this case to compete if Mendoza goes down. If that happens, the season is lost on a number of levels. You are looking for a guy who will sit next to the rookie during film and during the games helping him see the game at the next level speed. Those three can do that. And there are others

[BoJacksonRules]

You are not looking for a backup in this case to compete if Mendoza goes down. If that happens, the season is lost on a number of levels. You are looking for a guy who will sit next to the rookie during film and during the games helping him see the game at the next level speed. Those three can do that. And there are others

Mendoza is a brainiac football junkie, he will have the coaches and the GOAT for mentorship, save the money for another hole on the roster instead

[Raider_Len]

I guess its a given Mendoza is going to start now, eh? I know that's the trend these days but with Brady around I would think that's not necessarily the ideal scenario, given they are supposedly thinking long term now.

[Attyla]

Mendoza is a brainiac football junkie, he will have the coaches and the GOAT for mentorship, save the money for another hole on the roster instead

Brady will not be around. And Mendoza will benefit from putting guys around him to accelerate his development. Being smart is not the same as experienced guys around him that have been there. and O'Connell is not that guy

[BoJacksonRules]

I guess its a given Mendoza is going to start now, eh? I know that's the trend these days but with Brady around I would think that's not necessarily the ideal scenario, given they are supposedly thinking long term now.

Yes Tom Brady has said QBs are better off sitting and being developed so that they are ready when they hit the field. Mendoza is known for his understanding of the game and an above average football IQ. So whether he would benefit from sitting or starting right away is an unknown. I think he will start week 1 because he will most likely be the one that gives us the best chance for a W.

[chucker]

Mendoza is a brainiac football junkie, he will have the coaches and the GOAT for mentorship, save the money for another hole on the roster instead

Coaches are limited in how much time they are allowed to spend with players. Teammates are not limited. I suspect Brady would have limits as well. We don't have to spend a pile of money on a backup - the expensive backups are the guys who are more likely to win a game if they have to play, and that's not what I think we should be looking for. The guy who can win you a game might not be the best mentor.

[DanKD]

Its like some of you have never worked with other people.

Being new to any company its nice to have an equal who you can bounce stuff off of, go over stuff with etc... not just managers or trainers. Yes, having a backup qb who can work well with Mendoza (and Aidan as qb3) will help.

[Goodtimes333]

Trade a late 2027 pick to Seattle for Drew Lock. He's spent a year with Kubiak, has physical upside traits, & he's making 2.5 million for the year. Seattle has Jalen Milroe as a backup with a year on the bench to get more up to speed.

Or perhaps there's a player Kubiak would trade for anyway on Seattle and you get them to throw in Drew as part of a deal. Best scenario in my opinion