Kubiak Lays Out His Vision for the Raiders' QB Room

Klint Kubiak has made some comments that lay out his plan for the future of the Las Vegas Raiders quarterback room.

Feb 5, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak talks to media members at the San Jose Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders have been on the clock since the season ended, and a lot has changed since they beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18. They have a brand new coaching staff and a team that projects to be much more competent.

The first overall pick is important for any franchise, but the Raiders are trying to break new ground by actually finding their franchise signal caller with the first pick in the draft. Fernando Mendoza is a quarterback prospect worth the gamble of taking him first overall. How does Klint Kubiak feel about a rookie quarterback entering Las Vegas?

Stance Made

#Raiders HC Klint Kubiak on his philosophy of bringing along a young QB

"I think in a perfect world, he's watching a mature adult go and run an offense and run the team. The situation is, you might have that player, you might not -- you might not have that veteran to show him…

— Jesse Merrick - Silver & Black Sports Network (@JesseSBSN) March 31, 2026

Kubiak's clear preference is for Mendoza to start the season on the bench and watch a veteran quarterback orchestrate the Raiders offense before taking full reins of it himself. This is certainly a choice, but there have been examples of this working out in the recent past.

Drake Maye didn't start his career as a starter for the New England Patriots. Instead, he had to sit behind Jacoby Brissett for the majority of his rookie season. However, it's not as if he was any sharper for those first few games of starting experience.

Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (QB11) looks on during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

I am not doubting that a veteran quarterback like Kirk Cousins or Aaron Rodgers couldn't thrive with Kubiak as their head coach, but is this really putting their best foot forward for the success of their young quarterback? I'd understand if the roster wasn't up to snuff and they don't want to impact the development of Mendoza, but they spent a large sum of money in free agency shoring up that side of the ball.

The last thing I would want from this new Raiders regime is for there to be a logjam of interest. Kubiak and the rest of the roster may want to be competitive and potentially sneak into the playoffs, but the end goal should be developing Mendoza, and the best way to do that is by putting him on the field.

Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) passes the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

If John Spytek were to get a veteran quarterback, there are some benefits they'd have to consider. Cousins aligns with Mendoza's humility, and he can teach him how to succeed as a pure pocket passer for a multitude of seasons. Rodgers has the star power and also knows the pressure of being a first-round quarterback with high expectations.

It appears that Kubiak has his mind set on what he plans to do for his quarterback room in his first year as the Raiders head coach, and I'd look out for them getting a veteran quarterback before the season begins.