Kubiak Keeps Emergency QB Plan Under Wraps Ahead of Seahawks Game

The Las Vegas Raiders have two quarterbacks on their depth chart heading into Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. Head coach Klint Kubiak says they have a plan if they need a third, and he’s keeping it to himself.

“We’ve got Aidan, and then we’ve got to go to Plan C,” Kubiak said, referring to backup Aidan O’Connell, according to reporter Sam Warren. Kubiak declined to say what that plan entails, though he said it’s something the team has to prepare for with only two quarterbacks available.

The Raiders opened the season with three quarterbacks on the active roster. That changed Tuesday when they traded Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2027 third-round pick.

Las Vegas then named Fernando Mendoza its starter. The No. 1 overall pick will make his first NFL start Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, with O’Connell behind him on the team’s depth chart.

O’Connell has starting experience with the Raiders, which gives Kubiak a veteran backup for Mendoza’s debut. The uncertainty comes after O’Connell. If both quarterbacks become unavailable during the game and Las Vegas has only those two dressed, the Raiders would have to turn to another active player to take snaps.

The NFL’s emergency third-quarterback rule allows a team to designate a third quarterback from its 53-man roster without using a spot on the game-day active list. The designated player can enter if both active quarterbacks are unavailable because of injury or disqualification. Kubiak’s comments left open how Las Vegas would handle that situation with its current depth chart.

Kubiak also said the Raiders are considering adding a third quarterback, according to Silver and Black Pride. That’s a separate roster decision from the contingency the staff is preparing for Sunday.

Mendoza has appeared in one regular-season game, completing six of eight passes for 48 yards late in an October loss to the New England Patriots. Against Seattle, he’ll be responsible for running the offense from the opening snap for the first time. O’Connell is the next man up if the rookie has to come out.

The next public clue will come when the Raiders announce their game-day inactives. If Mendoza and O’Connell remain the only quarterbacks available against Seattle, the identity of Kubiak’s emergency option may stay private unless the Raiders actually need him.