Garrett Podell#78 of 87 NFL pundits · Sep 22, 2026
Podell ranks the NFL's five best backup quarterback situations entering 2026, putting Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza first ahead of Mac Jones, Drew Lock, Carson Wentz and Joe Flacco.
Published in writing · CBS SportsRead the original
What Garrett Podell said
Yes, 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, Indiana Hoosiers national championship-winning quarterback and 2026 NFL Draft first overall pick Fernando Mendoza hasn't taken an NFL regular-season snap, but his potential while marinating under Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak was enough for him to garner the top spot.
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- CBS Sports
- The piece
- NFL 2026 backup QB rankings: A look at the five best and worst signal callers
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“Best backup QB situations — 5. Cincinnati: Joe Flacco; 4. Minnesota: Carson Wentz; 3. Seattle: Drew Lock; 2. San Francisco: Mac Jones; 1. Las Vegas: Fernando Mendoza”
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
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