Raiders coach Klint Kubiak says Fernando Mendoza, the team’s No. 1 overall pick, has “not disappointed” as the franchise continues to ease him into the offense behind Kirk Cousins and Aidan O’Connell.
On a Wednesday when the Raiders were still laying out the rhythm of their quarterback plan, coach Klint Kubiak made one thing clear about Fernando Mendoza: so far, the rookie has delivered exactly what the team hoped to see.
“We’re not disappointed,” Kubiak said, via Ryan McFadden of ESPN. “He’s working his tail off. It’s very important to him that he asks a lot of great questions when he gets on the field. He’s no B.S.; he’s all ball.”
Mendoza is the Raiders’ quarterback of the future, selected as the No. 1 overall pick, and Kubiak described a rookie approach that’s been consistent day to day. The coach said the team is easing Mendoza into the offense. with Kirk Cousins taking first-team reps. followed by Aidan O’Connell. and then Mendoza.
Kubiak has repeatedly said he would prefer a rookie quarterback not start Day 1. Even so, the Raiders are giving Mendoza every chance to win the job, regardless of what the sportsbooks appear to favor—Cousins to start Week 1.
What stands out to Kubiak is the way Mendoza is working once the ball is in his hands and once practice moves on from the obvious checklist. Kubiak said Mendoza has been going “the extra mile,” putting in the work, asking questions, and taking notes. “Anything that you put in front of him, he’s going to attack it,” Kubiak said. “Anything new, he spends extra time on. You can tell he fixes things from one day to the next.”.
For a rookie trying to earn his spot, the details are becoming a message all their own: Mendoza may be eased in, but he’s treating the reps like they matter. And to Kubiak, that mindset—questions, notes, and adjustments—has been the clearest sign that he hasn’t missed.
Raiders Fernando Mendoza Klint Kubiak Kirk Cousins Aidan O’Connell NFL quarterback battle No. 1 overall pick
So they’re saying he’s good but not starting… cool cool.
I don’t get why they keep easing him in if he was the No. 1 pick. Like isn’t that the whole point? Also sportsbooks favoring Cousins feels like they already decided.
Kubiak said “no B.S.,” but coaches always say that. Back in my day a #1 overall just started and didn’t “ask questions” for reporters lol. If Cousins gets first-team reps, Mendoza might get frozen out for real.
Wait, is Mendoza even the starter or just the future? They always say “we’re not disappointed” like that’s proof of something. If they’re taking turns behind Cousins and O’Connell then how is the rookie supposed to build rhythm? Sounds like they’re just protecting him while the defense figures him out.