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.

[DanKD]

Might as well do the Jordan Love route, let him set for three years during the remainder of Genos contract

[BoJacksonRules]

f[raiders_icon]ck spending money on a bridge QB. The depth chart going into week 1 should be:
Mendoza
O’Connell
Day 3 pick or UDFA

[BoKnows81]

f[raiders_icon]ck spending money on a bridge QB. The depth chart going into week 1 should be:
Mendoza
O’Connell
Day 3 pick or UDFA

O'Connell is not a #2 QB in this league. He is a #3 at best.

[BoJacksonRules]

O'Connell is not a #2 QB in this league. He is a #3 at best.

Maybe, maybe not. But I’d rather have him than some scrub for 6-12 million. We can invest in a better backup QB after we get good again, because until that happens it doesn’t really matter.

[Attyla]

Maybe, maybe not. But I’d rather have him than some scrub for 6-12 million. We can invest in a better backup QB after we get good again, because until that happens it doesn’t really matter.

We can get a number 2 QB in free agency cheap. O'Connell as the backup to the backup is not a horrible idea just don't rely on him because he is just not that good. He is what he is, a good guy seemingly, a guy who has been around a few years but he is never going to vie for time on the field.

[Willmark]

O’Connell is ok in spots but he still isn’t up to NFL gas speed. I’ve been commenting on it since he arrived. He knows where he needs to go with the ball has the arm to make the throw, but he doesn’t arrive at the correct solution fast enough.

I don’t see that working in Kubiak’s offense where you have to make anticipatory throws.

[Willmark]

And on the subject of anticipatory throws? That leaves out the former QB as there was no way his brain could accept that he would have to throw to a spot. He’d have to see it, confirm it and then throw. There isn’t enough time for that and we’d see the usual: him pulling the ball down and taking a sack in the pocket.

[heavyD]

Why waste money or draft picks on a backup? They wasted a 5th on Pickett and the guy couldn't even function in the offense and they wasted $37 million on Smith to be the 2nd worst rated QB in 2026. O'Connell has a 2-1 career TD to INT ratio and an 85 QBR which is respectable given he's played on the same garbage teams that pretty well ended the starting careers of Garoppolo, Minshew, and Smith. He's outperformed all of them and they were anointed starters so I don't understand the talk of AOC not being a #2. A lot of backups in this league are like Pickett that flat out can't play if thrown into a game and while AOC hasn't been flashy, he's been a lot steadier than any other Raiders QB since Carr. Besides if for whatever reason Mendoza can't play, we don't want a backup QB coming in and winning meaningless games as this team needs another solid draft as depth is going to be an issue for another season or two. I would like to see the team spend resources on positions that are going to make a difference when Mendoza is playing and not a guy (if things go as planned) that will be holding a clip board for the season. Maybe when they turn the corner and become a contender then you want to spend on a guy that can maybe come in and win games but this team doesn't need that right now at all.

[chucker]

Why waste money or draft picks on a backup? They wasted a 5th on Pickett and the guy couldn't even function in the offense and they wasted $37 million on Smith to be the 2nd worst rated QB in 2026. O'Connell has a 2-1 career TD to INT ratio and an 85 QBR which is respectable given he's played on the same garbage teams that pretty well ended the starting careers of Garoppolo, Minshew, and Smith. He's outperformed all of them and they were anointed starters so I don't understand the talk of AOC not being a #2. A lot of backups in this league are like Pickett that flat out can't play if thrown into a game and while AOC hasn't been flashy, he's been a lot steadier than any other Raiders QB since Carr. Besides if for whatever reason Mendoza can't play, we don't want a backup QB coming in and winning meaningless games as this team needs another solid draft as depth is going to be an issue for another season or two. I would like to see the team spend resources on positions that are going to make a difference when Mendoza is playing and not a guy (if things go as planned) that will be holding a clip board for the season. Maybe when they turn the corner and become a contender then you want to spend on a guy that can maybe come in and win games but this team doesn't need that right now at all.

The only thing that matters in our backup QBs this year is how they can help Mendoza. The hard part as fans is that we don't know who might be the guy to do that because all we see is their play on the field, and that part is irrelevant. The ideal guy is actually a guy who is more focused on his future NFL coaching career than his playing career (as Davis Webb did). I will say that I don't want anyone who will put competing for a job above helping Mendoza on his priority list - that leaves a guy like Cousins out of the mix for me.

[heavyD]

Kubiak may want a QB on the roster that's familiar with his offense but I don't think it's going to be a big ticket QB. Smith has to go because he's going to be competing for the starting job and I don't think he's the kind of guy you want around a young QB based on his attitude this season because he's not going to be happy as the backup. Also he's terrible and Carroll's guy.

[chucker]

Kubiak may want a QB on the roster that's familiar with his offense but I don't think it's going to be a big ticket QB. Smith has to go because he's going to be competing for the starting job and I don't think he's the kind of guy you want around a young QB based on his attitude this season because he's not going to be happy as the backup. Also he's terrible and Carroll's guy.

All the guys who've worked with Kubiak the past couple of seasons are under contract with other teams.

[BoJacksonRules]

We can get a number 2 QB in free agency cheap. O'Connell as the backup to the backup is not a horrible idea just don't rely on him because he is just not that good. He is what he is, a good guy seemingly, a guy who has been around a few years but he is never going to vie for time on the field.

What QBs can we get in FA for cheap that are decent, and obviously better than AOC.

[Willmark]

Why waste money or draft picks on a backup? They wasted a 5th on Pickett and the guy couldn't even function in the offense and they wasted $37 million on Smith to be the 2nd worst rated QB in 2026. O'Connell has a 2-1 career TD to INT ratio and an 85 QBR which is respectable given he's played on the same garbage teams that pretty well ended the starting careers of Garoppolo, Minshew, and Smith. He's outperformed all of them and they were anointed starters so I don't understand the talk of AOC not being a #2. A lot of backups in this league are like Pickett that flat out can't play if thrown into a game and while AOC hasn't been flashy, he's been a lot steadier than any other Raiders QB since Carr. Besides if for whatever reason Mendoza can't play, we don't want a backup QB coming in and winning meaningless games as this team needs another solid draft as depth is going to be an issue for another season or two. I would like to see the team spend resources on positions that are going to make a difference when Mendoza is playing and not a guy (if things go as planned) that will be holding a clip board for the season. Maybe when they turn the corner and become a contender then you want to spend on a guy that can maybe come in and win games but this team doesn't need that right now at all.

Why? Because the return is so massive. It’s like venture capital. Most times they won’t pan out but if they do? Jackpot. You’ve just landed the most valuable commodity in all of sports.

Now compare this to who a team is likely drafting rounds 5-7. If they even make the team they are likely special teamers and guys with a 3-4 year career for the most part.

Now to really bring it all together. 31 other teams will be dumping their cuts through the run up to the start of the season. Need a 5th or 6th WR to play special teams? There is likely a guy out there to pick up with no draft picks required.

QBs because they are so valuable are the exception to this.

[Attyla]

What QBs can we get in FA for cheap that are decent, and obviously better than AOC.

The backup QB market is always in flux. It is not just a cheap backup but a guy who can help school Mendoza. He does not have to be better than anyone, he just has to be smart and someone who can see the details a rookie would not see. But that skill set is usually strong at this position. Like has been mentioned, Webb was one of those guys. A guy who knew his talent was such that the only time he was going to see the field was when his starter went down. So you are wanting a guy who is quickly learning his next job while being an active player. A Mariota type of guy. Tommy DeVito comes to mind. But once preseason starts, there will be released guys who are not currently free agents.

Consider, while this current draft class does not have great QBs, it does have developmental guys. Every one of those guys who sticks kicks off one of their existing QBs. Those are the guys you go fishing for. Find a Josh Johnson type who has been around a while. I just don't think O'Connell is seasoned enough to do those things.

[SkullCrusher]

Why waste money or draft picks on a backup? They wasted a 5th on Pickett and the guy couldn't even function in the offense and they wasted $37 million on Smith to be the 2nd worst rated QB in 2026.

I read the other reply on how you can hit big, but it is super rare getting any good QB after the second, not impossible but single digit %'s.

I agree not to do a "flyer" on a QB, unless you know a secret.
There will always be backup QB's available in FA for zero picks that have some proven record of what to expect.

The chances of finding other positions that play in the game more often are easier to find later in the draft. While still low % it's still well higher than a QB panning out and playing meaningfully for a team.