Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza turned heads in Week 1, rocking a helmet on the sideline as the backup quarterback. It looked a little odd to some fans, sure, but Mendoza spilled the beans to The Athletic’s Sam Warren: there was a seriously practical reason for it. He was wired in, trying to hear every single bit of communication between the coaches and starting QB Kirk Cousins. It was a move that showed real dedication, a glimpse into the mind of a player who isn’t just waiting for his turn, but actively preparing for it.
This Ain’t Your Typical Backup Setup
Mendoza laid it out plain, saying, “Wearing the helmet is pretty crucial because that’s where the play calls come in through, and that’s the microphone you hear from the speaker. When I wear the helmet, I can (experience) what I would actually see on the field.” What’s wild is that the source says nobody on the Raiders actually offered him a standard headset or earpiece, which is how most backups stay dialed in. It’s a curious detail, to say the least, almost as if they were daring him to find his own way. Even without the offer, though, Mendoza might have just stuck with the helmet anyway. The dude is a “firm believer in verbalization,” always visualizing what he’d do in any situation from the sideline. This isn’t some passive observer just sitting on the bench, hoping for a miracle. He’s making his own luck, driving his own preparation.
Mendoza’s One-Man Huddle Is Something Else
When Cousins is running the show, Mendoza isn’t just chilling. Warren reported that Mendoza’s game-day process is exactly the same as his walkthroughs and practices. He’s literally mimicking Cousins’ every move. He’s hearing the play calls, then saying them out loud himself, like he’s the one in the huddle. He’s making mock decisions on his throwing progression for every single pass play. And get this: he even breaks the huddle. A huddle of one, mind you, after relaying coach Klint Kubiak’s call to his imaginary teammates. That’s a level of commitment and mental reps you rarely see from a first-year guy. It screams “ready to play.”
Fernando Mendoza is absolutely going to be the Raiders’ starter eventually. And honestly, it could even happen sometime this season if he keeps this up. Whenever that change comes, coach Kubiak won’t have to stress one bit about whether this first-year signal-caller is ready for his shot. You just know he’s putting in the work, every single snap, internalizing the entire offense and what it takes to execute. Keep an eye on this kid, because the preparation is already next level, and it shows.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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