The chatter coming out of the Raiders’ camp today is loud, and it points directly to rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza likely starting his first NFL season as a third-stringer. This isn’t some wild speculation, either; Coach Klint Kubiak himself confirmed the decisions on who’s QB1, QB2, and QB3 are still totally up in the air. For a team just kicking off the regular season, that level of uncertainty in the most critical position is something you just don’t see often, especially with a young guy like Mendoza in the mix.
Kubiak’s Hard Decisions and the Backup Battle
Coach Kubiak laid it all out there when asked whether Mendoza or Aidan O’Connell would be the backup to the widely expected starter, Kirk Cousins. He straight up said that call hasn’t been made. “We’ve got three guys that are ready to play,” Kubiak explained. “It’s going to be some hard decisions on who’s 1, who’s 2. That’s not a decision we have to make today, but those are discussions that are ongoing.” Think about that for a second. We’re already into the regular season, and the Raiders’ coach is talking about “hard decisions” for who lines up at second-string. It means there’s no clear hierarchy behind Cousins, and that competition is still fiercely alive. What does that say about where Mendoza stands right now?
Mendoza’s Rookie Season On The Sideline?
What’s wild about this whole situation is what it means for Fernando Mendoza’s immediate future. It’s not often you see a player, especially one with the potential we usually associate with top draft picks, starting their career on the third team. And yet, here we are. Kubiak isn’t exactly rushing to get Mendoza onto the field. In fact, it’s looking increasingly likely that Cousins will be the starter, with Mendoza on the sideline. The big kicker? The source implies Mendoza might not even get on the field early in the season, *even if* Cousins goes down. That’s a gut punch for any rookie looking to make an impact. It says Kubiak doesn’t see him as ready for prime time, not even as an emergency option right now.
This early in the regular season, you want to see your young talent getting integrated, learning the ropes, pushing for a spot. For Mendoza, though, it sounds like he’s going to be learning from a distance for a while. Kubiak and the Raiders have some major decisions to nail down in that quarterback room, and fast. What those discussions yield next could define Mendoza’s rookie year, and right now, it’s looking like he’s got a long wait ahead.
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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