Raiders Could Make Stunning Fernando Mendoza Decision After Taking Him No. 1 Overall
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Fernando Mendoza went No. 1 overall, but the Raiders never committed to giving him the keys to the car from the get-go. Week 1 may still hide him. Kirk Cousins is the expected starter. Klint Kubiak will not even promise Mendoza the backup job.
Most of Raider Nation assumed the rookie sat behind Cousins and ahead of Aidan O’Connell before Kubiak opened the other door.
Why Fernando Mendoza Could Open as QB3
The former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator refused to rule out naming Mendoza QB2 for the season opener.
“We’ve got three guys that are ready to play. It’s going to be some hard decisions on who’s 1, who’s 2,” Kubiak said. “That’s not a decision we have to make today, but those are discussions that are ongoing.”
O’Connell finished the preseason 18 of 33 for 198 yards. He has started games in this building. Cousins took the first-team reps all summer and did not lose them. Mendoza moved from third team in spring to second team in camp. That bump is now in play again.
Kubiak also said the Heisman winner still looks green.
“He needs another three preseason games, and all those rookies do. Now that the season is starting, the practice reps get smaller and that’s just life.”
There are no more preseason games. The opener is Miami at Allegiant on Sept. 13.
How Fernando Mendoza Got Here After Indiana
Mendoza signed a four-year, $57.27 million rookie deal in July.
“I’m excited to get this thing signed,” he said. “I’m excited to be a part of the silver and black. Can’t wait.”
Indiana went 16-0. He threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six picks. Then Las Vegas drafted him to end the quarterback carousel.
Camp was mixed. He hit Jack Bech for a score against Arizona. Houston picked him and ran it back. The Review-Journal had him 18 of 31 for 183 yards through two games, one touchdown, one pick-six. ESPN’s latest preseason line sat at 15 of 29, 143 yards, two interceptions.
Doug Pederson wanted him out Week 1 back in July.
“Let’s get this guy out there Week 1, let’s start having our growing pains Week 1.”
Kubiak went the other way. Cousins got the reps and O’Connell stayed in the room.
If Cousins starts and O’Connell dresses as the emergency, Mendoza watches. That is a brutal Week 1 for a No. 1 pick. Kubiak calls it development. The depth chart may just call it third string.
