It’s really not a surprise at this point in time, but reports indicate that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza getting drafted No. 1 overall by the Raiders is all but a sure thing. Mendoza cemented himself as the likely first overall pick even before the Hoosiers’ championship run through the College Football Playoff secured his Heisman win, and as soon as Las Vegas secured the top pick in the draft, Mendoza’s move to Nevada became a near certainty. 
Nothing is ever 100% sure, though, and there is always a possibility that the Raiders look at next year’s wide crop of quarterback prospects and an historic trade offer for the No. 1 overall pick and choose that route.
Overwhelmingly, though, pundits across the media spectrum believe that Vegas will retain their top overall pick and make things official with Mendoza. During an appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer dropped a number of quotes, saying, “I would be stunned if (Mendoza) didn’t go No. 1, right? I think it’s highly unlikely he goes anywhere but Vegas.”
Over at ESPN, a crew of reporters polled several NFL executives on the topic at the Senior Bowl, Shrine Bowl, and Super Bowl, and eight executives believed the Raiders would keep the pick, while no votes were tallied against that possibility. Separately, ESPN’s Rich Cimini asked Jets general manager Darren Mougey about the possibility of reaching out to Vegas to inquire about moving up, and he stated pretty plainly, “I don’t think that’s happening.” Courtney Cronin, another ESPN contributor, added to the crowd yesterday with a piece on Mendoza’s meeting with the Raiders and his excitement at the prospect of potentially being mentored by minority team owner Tom Brady.
Now, for teams with a need at quarterback not located in Sin City, the other obvious solutions are to go after one of the top free agent quarterbacks available — namely, Green Bay’s Malik Willis or Indianapolis’ Daniel Jones — or attempt to trade for San Francisco’s Mac Jones. After impressive 2025 contributions, both Joneses are expected to stay home, though, and only one team will get to claim Willis as a solution, but there is still a solvable equation for the teams that remain.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the teams that are still looking to acquire a passer after the above dust settles will be able to look toward either the litany of veteran quarterbacks with starting experience available for cheap or the numerous rookie passers who may be worth taking a flyer on or some combination of both.
Rapoport points to several veteran former starters who are thought to be release candidates and who may, in the same vein as Russell Wilson, be able to play for the veteran minimum, thanks to the added security of guaranteed money from the teams who may let them go. This situation would apply to players like Kirk Cousins, Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Fields, and Geno Smith.
Teams can sign one of these quarterbacks to audition for a Jones-like comeback opportunity then pair them with a young, rookie option that may be available later on in the 2026 NFL Draft. After Mendoza, Alabama’s Ty Simpson has drawn some first-round interest, but there is a perceived drop off in the arms that follow. The next names on the list — LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Miami’s Carson Beck, Penn State’s Drew Allar, etc. — could fall anywhere in the draft.
Some see 2026 much like the 2022 NFL Draft, in which Kenny Pickett was the only Day 1 quarterback, and the next passer was taken in the third round. Others believe 2026 could be more like 2018 or 2024, when two passers were widely viewed as first-round talents but several others drifted into the first round based on the number of teams looking for answers at the position.
With many already looking forward to the quarterback prospects of the 2027 NFL Draft, we may see multiple teams opt to employ the services of a veteran starter alone or combined with a promising rookie. These decisions will play out over the next few weeks as the veterans hit free agency after release and draft grades are determined for rookies, but there are several options available to teams looking for quarterback help for 2026.
Very few good options though
I was going to say, the word “good” is notably missing from the headline.
Decent dart throw options for rebuilding teams.
I think that the opposite is true. You can add Sam Darnold and some of these cast aways to a roster that is ready to compete. Adding Sam Darnold to a “rebuilding” team would be a dsisaster.
What’s ironic is the Falcons fit this description…A roster ready to compete without a concrete QB solution
Give Penix a shot but for sure get a couple other passers. I like Mac jones and possibly Drew Allar
Some of these guys could win games in a solid system with solid pieces tho. For example Malik Willis throwing passes to waddle and Achane will win games
Lol none of these really seem like options beyond a one year stopgap
Sloppy seconds, thirds, and fourths.
carr. colts, vikings.
would like to see tua or murray swallow their pride and backup stafford.. then compete for the starting job after he retires
Can’t imagine the Rams are seeking either out.
I could see the Rams picking the best big name that drops, kind of like when A.J. McCarron fell to the Bengals in the fifth round in 2014.
Is there any scenario where Anthony Richardson is worth a flier?
Maybe if you’re playing cornhole… But only maybe…
Richardson..no way. Not when he comes out of the game saying he’s TIRED
I remember Darnold running in circles against the Pats, saying he was seeing ghosts. Some guys are too young when they start out.
I think Seattle just proved that if you prioritize defense and the OL then a run game, you can succeed with a QB who is not considered among the elite. Most of the unsuccessful teams don’t know how to set priorities properly.
Brad Johnson anyone?
Brad Johnson made two Pro Bowls. What are you even talking about?
Yeah, that’s even more Pro Bowls than Shedeur Sanders has made.
Well, to be fair, Johnson had a stretch of 5 or 6 seasons where he was pretty good. A better example would probably be Trent Dilfer.
What kind of bizzaro world are we living in where teams are fighting over the chance to sign Malik Willis for 30 million dollars? Why don’t these teams look for a new guy somewhere in the weeds instead of recycling the same old clown car full of has beens. Josh Johnson sticking around for 20 years is just one example. When is the yearly Colin Kapernick article going to pop up? Hasn’t thrown a pass in 9 years and he’s still in the conversation. Has to be someone new out there with all the AFL, Canadian, UFL, leagues. But no, let’s throw money at a guy like Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis, or heaven forbid Josh Johnson and hope for a miracle. Where’s the next Kurt Warner? Are teams just so stuck in stupidity that they aren’t even looking?
Even if you send an expedition into the Amazon (rain forest not, the shopping site) and find some complete unknown, if he succeeds as a starter he’s going to want more than $30MM when his rookie deal expires.
Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett should not be mentioned in the same category. Willis started out bad as most rookies do, but played well in limited time for a good team in Green Bay.
Guys from the U(S/X)FL and CFL get signed to rosters every other year or so, and never can compete with the currently rostered NFL players. Being an NFL QB is incredibly difficult. There aren’t dozens of undiscovered NFL QBs laying around. Nathan Rourke is the one that comes to mind for me, but I know there’s been others over the years. They don’t last long.
Sports guy – if Trent Green doesn’t get hurt the people may never have heard of a guy named Kurt Warner. If Don “Magic Man” Majkowski AND the second string QB wasn’t hurt also we may never heard of HOF quarterback Brett Favre. The announcers called him Farvray he was so unknown.And yes I was watching the game. The Bengals traded for the Jets third string QB, Jeff Blake, and after David Klingler and Don Hallas got hurt he got to play and was the Bengals starter for 4 years.If Jimmy Garrapolo and Trey Lance don’t both get hurt chances are nobody would know the name Brock Purdy. Guys get signed from the other leagues, but do they get a chance to do anything but stand around on the sidelines as the emergency QB? Malik Willis will turn out to be another Jake Browning. Win a few games one year then the other teams figure him out and he stinks up the place the next year. The one that should be getting some playing time is Hendon Hooker. In the right system he could be a good quarterback. Being an NFL QB is difficult? Wow, been playing and coaching football for 50+ years and I didn’t know that! What a revelation! NFL teams are so anal about retreading someone who has “game experience” that most deserving guys don’t get a shot at any playing time except in mop up or practice. There are quite a few that never will get that chance while teams trot Colt McCoy or Josh Johnson out there because they have “game experience”. Meanwhile the others get discouraged or have to get a real job to support their families.