The Las Vegas Raiders announced Klint Kubiak’s 2026 coaching staff Monday, a roster of assistants built to support a rookie head coach and a likely rookie quarterback. The list, however, does not include a quarterbacks coach title, and the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported the staff will not have a formal quarterbacks coach.
That omission matters because Las Vegas is widely projected to use the No. 1 overall pick on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. It is a small line on a staff chart, but it can be a big lever in a rookie’s development. Growth is rarely linear for young passers, and organizations often reduce variables by assigning one voice to mechanics, weekly plans and accountability.
It will take a village to raise Fernando Mendoza…
The Raiders can argue the job is covered by his committee. Kubiak, offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko and assistant head coach Mike McCoy have all coached quarterbacks elsewhere, and Pro Football Talk noted all three could share mentoring duties. Still, shared responsibility can blur authority, especially when a young quarterback hits his first losing streak or faces pressure to play early.
Las Vegas can still hire a quarterbacks coach before training camp. If it does not, it should be seen as a choice, not a mistake. The decision will be judged by how quickly Fernando Mendoza settles in.
The Raiders finalized Klint Kubiak’s staff, but no quarterbacks coach is listed. That is not automatically a problem. Still, it shapes the plan if Las Vegas drafts Mendoza No. 1 overall and considers starting him early.
Will the Raiders regret not hiring a QB coach?
A quarterback’s coach is usually a rookie’s daily go-to. He works on mechanics, protections, coverages and in-game fixes. If that job shifts to the offensive coordinator or head coach, roles can get muddy. That is especially true during a rebuild.
Kubiak, Andrew Janocko and Mike McCoy have all coached quarterbacks. Pro Football Talk noted that experience could cover the gap. Still, they have bigger responsibilities. They are building game plans and running the entire offense. If the Raiders want to speed up Fernando Mendoza’s growth, hiring a dedicated quarterbacks coach before camp would help. If they do not, it is a choice. It should be judged by how steady Mendoza looks early.
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