The Raiders may draft a quarterback No. 1 overall.
That doesn’t mean he’ll start Week 1.
And if he doesn’t? It won’t be Geno Smith under center.
Raiders May Start QB Other Than Fernando Mendoza — But It Won’t Be Geno Smith
The Las Vegas Raiders are heading toward a quarterback reset in 2026.
After a disastrous 2025 season with Geno Smith at the helm, the expectation around the league is clear: Smith’s time in Las Vegas is likely over, whether via release or trade.
Holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Raiders are widely projected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza — a move that would officially begin a new era.
But here’s the twist:
Even if Mendoza is the pick, he might not start right away.
And according to insider Vincent Bonsignore, if someone else takes the Week 1 snaps, it won’t be Smith.
“It’s not going to be Geno,” Bonsignore wrote. “O’Connell is more than capable of holding it down if that is the Raiders’ approach.”
That puts Aidan O’Connell squarely in the conversation.
Why O’Connell Makes Sense
O’Connell barely got a chance in 2025.
After dealing with injuries early, he never received a real opportunity to start once healthy. With Kenny Pickett entering free agency and Smith likely on his way out, O’Connell could be the only returning quarterback under contract.
If the Raiders want to ease Mendoza into the league, O’Connell provides a low-cost, system-familiar bridge option.
And that appears aligned with general manager John Spytek’s philosophy.
Spytek Doesn’t Want to Rush a Rookie
Spytek recently admitted he’s not eager to throw a rookie quarterback into the fire immediately.
“I think you want to limit the amount of pressure you have on that guy from the start,” Spytek said. “If you have a young quarterback, I’m not necessarily in favor of running him out there right away.”
That statement matters.
Las Vegas isn’t thinking short-term quick fix. They’re thinking foundation.
Bonsignore echoed that sentiment, noting 2026 is “vitally important,” but not in a rush-the-process way.
The Problem: Fan Pressure
In theory, sitting Mendoza makes sense.
In reality? It’s complicated.
First-round quarterbacks — especially No. 1 overall picks — are expected to play immediately. Fans want to see the future. Ownership feels the buzz. Media scrutiny ramps up quickly.
Keeping Mendoza on the bench for an entire season would be nearly impossible unless injury forces the issue.
Holding him out for a few games? Reasonable.
Redshirting him for 17? Highly unlikely.
Could the Raiders Add Another Veteran?
There’s always the possibility of signing another veteran bridge quarterback. A name like Derek Carr would generate headlines, but even that would feel like a temporary placeholder rather than a long-term solution.
And at some point, if Mendoza is the pick, he’ll take the field.
The bigger question is timing.
What This Means for the Raiders
If Mendoza is drafted No. 1 overall, he represents the franchise’s reset button.
But the Raiders appear determined not to repeat past mistakes of rushing quarterbacks into unstable situations.
Aidan O’Connell starting Week 1 would signal patience.
Mendoza starting immediately would signal urgency.
Either way, one thing is becoming clear:
The Geno Smith chapter is closing.
And a new era in Las Vegas is about to begin.
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