{"id":846939,"date":"2026-04-01T11:23:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T11:23:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/846939\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T11:23:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T11:23:23","slug":"raiders-head-coach-klint-kubiak-pulls-back-the-curtain-on-a-philosophy-that-may-make-some-of-the-fan-base-upset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/846939\/","title":{"rendered":"Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak pulls back the curtain on a philosophy that may make some of the fan base upset"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Las Vegas Raiders are set to draft Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall, but there are questions now on whether he would start right away, or if a veteran QB would.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are poised to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza<\/a> to finally address their long-standing need for a franchise quarterback.<\/p>\n

A topic that may frustrate fans is spending the No. 1 pick on a player who might not play right away, even though he is healthy. This often happens with rookie quarterbacks\u2014teams can be cautious, not wanting to risk confidence issues. However, fans want to see their new quarterback immediately. New head coach Klint Kubiak explained his philosophy.<\/p>\n

Klint Kubiak would prefer the Raiders\u2019 rookie QB to sit behind a veteran.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think in a perfect world, he\u2019s watching a mature adult run an offense and team,\u201d Kubiak told reporters at the NFL Owners Meeting on Tuesday when asked about a rookie QB starting right away. \u201cBut you may have that veteran, you may not. You\u2019d rather him learn before he gets in the game, but you don\u2019t always get to pick\u2026 Ideally, you don\u2019t want him to start from day one, but that\u2019s a perfect world. Sometimes they have to start from day one.\u201d<\/p>\n

#Raiders<\/a> HC Klint Kubiak: \u201cI think in aPerfect world he\u2019s watching a mature adult run an offense and team. But you may have that veteran you may not. You rather him learn before he gets in the game but you don\u2019t always get to pick.\u201d<\/p>\n

On a rookie QB starting right away or sitting\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Justin Churchill (@ChurchillAtoZ) March 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Raiders value having a veteran in the building, no matter their path. It seems they want Fernando to sit initially until he\u2019s ready, but either way, a veteran quarterback is a must. Should they pursue one in free agency? Rumors mention names like Kirk Cousins, who is similar to Mendoza and still has some upside.<\/p>\n

Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, and Tyrod Taylor are currently the other veteran options at quarterback, assuming Rodgers doesn\u2019t retire. Another possibility is making Aidan O\u2019Connell\u2014already on the roster\u2014the Raiders\u2019 \u201cveteran QB.\u201d He wouldn\u2019t require additional salary and has started many games. O\u2019Connell shares personality traits and play styles with Mendoza.<\/p>\n

Regardless of their decision, the Raiders do need a reliable backup. Mendoza is their choice, but it\u2019s unclear whether he\u2019ll start immediately.<\/p>\n

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Las Vegas Raiders News<\/p>\n

The Raiders like both Cincinnati linebackers.<\/p>\n