Raiders’ QB Depth Chart Is Far From Settled as Kubiak Admits ‘Hard Decisions’ Are Coming — Yahoo Sports

RESOLVING THE LEDGER

The Las Vegas Raiders thought they would have clarity at quarterback by the end of the preseason. Instead, Klint Kubiak is making it clear that the Raiders still have some uncomfortable decisions to make.

Kirk Cousins remains the obvious favorite to open Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, while Fernando Mendoza has shown enough flashes to keep the No. 1 pick in the conversation. Aidan O’Connell , meanwhile, has not been pushed completely out of the picture. Kubiak’s latest comments suggest the Raiders are not ready to lock anyone into a permanent spot just yet.

Klint Kubiak And The Las Vegas Raiders Still Face A Quarterback Decision

Feb 10, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak speaks at introductory press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Kubiak was asked whether O’Connell would clearly be the primary backup behind Cousins if the veteran wins the starting job. Rather than confirming the depth chart, the Raiders coach acknowledged that all three QBs remain part of the discussion.

“It’s going to be some hard decisions on who’s [QB1], who’s [QB2], and that’s not a decision that we have to make today. But those are discussions that are ongoing.”

Kubiak reiterated that #Raiders have 3 QBs that are ready to play when asked if AOC would be the primary backup over Mendoza if Kirk Cousins went down.

"It's going to be some hard decisions on who's [QB1], who's [QB2], and that's not a decision that we have to make today. But…

— Ryan McFadden (@ryanmcfadden_) August 28, 2026

That answer matters because the Raiders have reached the point where the preseason is over and the regular season is approaching quickly. There are only so many meaningful practice reps left, and Kubiak has already admitted he would have liked Mendoza to get another three preseason games to develop.

The rookie’s final outing did little to force the coaching staff’s hand. Mendoza completed 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards with an interception against the San Francisco 49ers, following an uneven performance against the Houston Texans that also included a pick-six. His preseason flashes have been intriguing; however, the mistakes have kept him from clearly overtaking Cousins.

Cousins, meanwhile, has quietly done what was expected of him. He has taken the majority of first-team reps throughout camp, opened the preseason as QB1, and finished Thursday’s game 8-of-11 for 51 yards without a turnover.

That consistency is a major reason the veteran still appears to have the inside track, however, Kubiak’s reluctance to officially name him also leaves the door open for the competition to remain relevant beyond the preseason.

Mendoza’s development is particularly important. The Raiders invested the No. 1 overall pick in him, and there is no question they want to find out what their young quarterback can become. The question is whether that evaluation happens immediately or from the sideline.

O’Connell adds another layer to the equation. He already has NFL experience and remains a viable option if the coaching staff values reliability behind Cousins more than Mendoza’s long-term upside. For now, the Raiders have three QBs they believe can play.

That may sound like a good problem to have; however, Kubiak knows the easy part is over. Now comes the hard decision: deciding which quarterback should lead the team, which one should back him up, and how aggressively the Raiders should develop their No. 1 pick.