One of the most under-the-radar but quietly pivotal decisions facing the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason isn’t about who’s starting under center-it’s about who’s backing him up.
With Klint Kubiak now officially installed as head coach, the franchise is entering a new era. And unless something dramatic shifts between now and the draft, it’s widely expected that Fernando Mendoza will be the No. 1 overall pick.
That means, for the first time in decades, the Raiders may finally have their franchise quarterback. Mendoza is poised to be the guy from Day 1.
You don’t spend the top pick on a developmental project-you spend it on someone you expect to lead your team out of the tunnel Week 1.
But while all eyes will be on Mendoza’s progression, the quarterback room around him is just as important-especially for a rookie stepping into the NFL spotlight.
Let’s look at the current landscape.
Geno Smith, last year’s starter, is still under contract. But that could change quickly. If the Raiders decide to move on, they’d free up nearly $8 million in cap space-money that could be used to shore up other areas of the roster or even re-invest in the quarterback room.
Then there’s Aidan O’Connell. The fan favorite.
The guy who took down the Chiefs. He’s not flashy, but he’s proven he can step in and hold his own.
He’s affordable, familiar with the locker room, and in a world where Mendoza is the clear QB1, O’Connell could settle into a veteran backup role without disrupting the rookie’s development. If Smith is released, O’Connell becomes the most experienced quarterback on the roster.
That said, the Raiders have options in free agency if they want to bring in a more seasoned presence. Tyrod Taylor, Mitchell Trubisky, and Zach Wilson are all expected to hit the market.
Each brings a different skill set and level of experience, but none would command a huge contract. Taylor, for instance, has made a career out of being the steady hand behind young QBs.
Trubisky and Wilson, meanwhile, come with more question marks-but also upside if the coaching staff thinks they can tap into it.
And then there’s the big name: Russell Wilson. Yes, he’ll be available.
But adding someone like Wilson is about more than Xs and Os. It’s about managing personalities, media attention, and locker room dynamics.
Do the Raiders want to risk putting that kind of spotlight in the same room as their rookie QB? That’s a tough call.
Wilson might still have something left in the tank, but he’s not coming in quietly-and that could complicate Mendoza’s development arc.
So what’s the move for GM John Spytek?
Rolling with O’Connell as QB2 would be the most cost-effective and drama-free route. It allows the team to allocate resources elsewhere and gives Mendoza a stable, supportive environment to grow. But if Kubiak and Spytek feel the need for a more seasoned voice in the room-or a safety net in case Mendoza hits a rookie wall-then dipping into the free agent pool makes sense.
Ultimately, the Raiders’ quarterback room in 2026 isn’t just about who starts. It’s about setting the right foundation for a young quarterback to thrive-and that means making the right call on the guy who’ll be holding the clipboard, too.