Raiders lose out on potential mentor for Mendoza with Flacco news

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco. Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Raiders lose out on potential mentor for Fernando Mendoza with Joe Flacco news

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Mar 24, 2026 6:55 PM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders would've loved a quarterback room featuring Joe Flacco and Fernando Mendoza, but the veteran is off the market.

The Cincinnati Bengals are re-signing 18-year veteran Flacco to a one-year deal, per NFL Media's Tom Pelissero. The Raiders, of course, are expected to take Indiana Hoosiers QB Mendoza with pick No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft and want to bring in another QB to mentor him. Vegas reportedly had Super Bowl XLVII MVP Flacco on its wish list.

Why Joe Flacco would've been a good bridge QB for Raiders

Flacco remains a quality bridge QB for teams that want to give their rookie QB time to sit and learn. In 13 games with the Bengals and the Cleveland Browns last season, he tossed 15 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.

Flacco has also shown he's willing to give a rookie pointers. Browns QB Shedeur Sanders said the veteran was helpful during his rookie season in 2025.

Veteran QB Joe Flacco is signing a one-year deal with the Bengals, per his agent @JLSports3.

Flacco is back for his 19th NFL season. pic.twitter.com/r4OPsNJcEc
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 24, 2026

"He was definitely somebody I leaned on for wisdom, and I feel he helped me a lot," Sanders said after Cleveland traded Flacco to Cincinnati in October 2025. "He helped me a lot in my time being here in Cleveland and his time being here in Cleveland. Everybody has their own destinies and has their own plans...I'm just happy for him."

In Mendoza's case, it would be beneficial to be around a QB he can model his game after. Like the Indiana star, Flacco is a tall pocket passer. Mendoza is listed at 6-foot-5, 236 pounds, while Flacco is listed at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds.

Who should the Raiders target next?

The Raiders could let 2025 Heisman winner Mendoza, who led the FBS in TD passes (41) in 2025, start Week 1. However, history shows a team shouldn't rush its rookie QB.

The next best option for the Raiders could be four-time Pro Bowl QB Kirk Cousins, who remains a free agent. He threw 10 TD passes and five interceptions in 10 games with the Atlanta Falcons last season. Plus, he served as a valuable resource for Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. (pick No. 8 in the 2024 draft).

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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