The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and all signs point to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as their selection.
Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy and led the Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 season capped by a College Football Playoff national championship in January, has been the consensus top prospect for months.
But general manager John Spytek, speaking to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, made something clear.
He is not sold on throwing any rookie quarterback into the starting role from Week 1. For a Raiders team that finished 3-14 in 2025, Spytek’s caution signals this rebuild won’t be rushed
“I think you want to limit the amount of pressure you have on that guy from the start,” Spytek told reporters, “Now, if you have a young quarterback, I’m not necessarily in favor of running him out there right away, so [you want] another quality player that can play the quarterback position.”
He also laid out what he looks for in a franchise quarterback.
Fernando Mendoza's Dominant Finish Earns Mel Kiper's Ironclad No. 1 Ranking for 2026 NFL Draft
Fernando Mendoza’s Dominant Finish Earns Mel Kiper’s Ironclad No. 1 Ranking for 2026 NFL Draft (Imagn Image)
“A leader, tough as hell, somebody that loves to play football, maniacal preparer,” Spytek said. “Obviously, somebody that can throw the ball well, but I think just somebody that loves the game and will give everything to their teammates.”
#Raiders GM John Spytek said he’s “not necessarily in favor” of starting a rookie QB (aka Fernando Mendoza) from Day 1.
HC Klint Kubiak’s stance: “Any of these QBs that succeed, they would have succeeded regardless of myself or the organization. Great QBs find a way to get it… pic.twitter.com/IrMjZmtEZq
— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) February 25, 2026
Spytek Has Not Spoken to Geno Smith Since the Season Ended
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Nov 23, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) talks with Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) after the game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Veteran quarterback Geno Smith is still under contract with Las Vegas, but his future there looks uncertain.
“I have not talked to Geno since the season ended,” Spytek said at the Combine. “I’ve seen videos of him training, and I know he’s feeling good. We’ll talk soon.”
Smith stands to receive an additional $8 million in fully guaranteed salary if he remains with the Raiders on March 13. Spytek’s measured response strongly hints that outcome is unlikely.
New Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak brought a somewhat different perspective to the conversation around rookie quarterback development.
Kubiak, who served as Seattle’s offensive coordinator in 2025 before winning Super Bowl LX, addressed his own role in a quarterback’s success during his Combine availability.
“Any of these QBs that succeed, they would have succeeded regardless of myself or the organization. Great QBs find a way to get it.”
His track record with quarterbacks lends credibility to that view. Kubiak helped Sam Darnold, widely dismissed after his New York Jets years, reach back-to-back Super Bowls, winning one with Seattle last month.
Mendoza chose not to throw at the Combine, telling The Pat McAfee Show on Feb 6 he wants to work out with his Indiana teammates at the school’s Pro Day on April 1 instead.
The 2026 NFL Draft opens Apr 23 in Pittsburgh. Whatever the final call on Mendoza’s role, Kubiak’s belief that franchise-caliber quarterbacks find their own way regardless suggests Las Vegas may ultimately lean more on Mendoza’s qualities than any structured plan from the front office.