Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak just dropped the news: rookie Fernando Mendoza is officially the No. 2 quarterback, backing up Kirk Cousins. This isn’t just a standard depth chart move; it puts a serious spotlight on the young signal-caller right out of the gate.
Top Pick Sits, League Watches
The whole league’s watching this one, folks. Kubiak was playing coy before, never saying if it would be Mendoza or Aidan O’Connell for the backup spot. But the team’s depth chart, released earlier this week, made it official, slotting Mendoza right into that No. 2 position. What’s truly wild about this is Mendoza’s unique place in history: he’s the first top overall pick at quarterback since Baker Mayfield back in 2018 who isn’t starting Week 1. That’s a massive amount of pressure on a guy who won’t even be taking the first snap.
Backup Life: Ready or Not
Kubiak isn’t sugarcoating it. He said he’s “encouraging him to know his reads and progressions, to know the game plan,” adding that Mendoza “just gotta get his butt ready to roll.” The coach is banking on Mendoza learning through “osmosis” from Cousins, absorbing preparation from the veteran. But make no mistake, Cousins is “there to go play and go win the game.” Mendoza won’t see many practice reps, but Kubiak knows the brutal reality: he’s one play away. “That’s the life of an NFL backup,” Kubiak stated, emphasizing the need for Mendoza to be “the most mature guy in the room,” preparing “in the darkness, in the shadows,” ready “when called upon, go win the game.”
So, what’s next for Mendoza? He’s got a massive target on his back as a top pick, but with almost no on-field opportunities to prove himself. Every snap Cousins takes means a rep Mendoza isn’t getting, and that’s the real challenge for the rookie going forward.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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