Klint Kubiak keeps it real about how Fernando Mendoza needs to find consistency with the Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are keeping it patient with rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
The Las Vegas Raiders wrapped up their second preseason game with a comeback win over the Houston Texans, but coach Klint Kubiak had a clear message about rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s development.
Kubiak spoke to the media the day after the win, and his assessment of what Mendoza needs to improve was honest and straightforward. At its core, the answer was simple. When asked what Mendoza needs to do to find more consistency, Kubiak didn’t overthink it.
“Reps. I’m not trying to be a smart aleck there. That’s the truth.
The follow-up question, though, is where things get complicated. If Kirk Cousins is expected to start the regular season, how does Mendoza get those reps? What can he do to replicate on-field work when he’s not seeing live action early in his career?
Kubiak had a detailed answer for that one, too.
“It’s staying early, leaving late. It’s using some of our technological tools at your disposal, but it’s really a lot of Coach Sullivan spending some early mornings and long nights with Fernando and Aiden. You can build in young guys’ reps into your practices. There are things you can do. It’s never as good as getting all the reps in practice, but you do the best that you can with what you’ve got.”
Mendoza showed flashes, but Thursday wasn’t clean
Kubiak acknowledged that Mendoza had some good moments in Thursday’s preseason win over Houston, but there were bad moments too. The interception that turned into a pick-six stands out. Mendoza himself has taken responsibility for the turnover, but it was a combination of factors. Nobody in the building is pointing fingers at anyone but themselves.
Beyond the pick-six, Mendoza’s presence in the pocket looked a little shaky. He wasn’t completely comfortable, though that wasn’t entirely his fault. The offensive line, particularly the second unit playing with him, did not give him much help all night. There are little things intertwined within the game that Mendoza needs to improve on, and the coaching staff sees them.
The encouraging part? He’s not making the same mistake twice. Kubiak has mentioned that multiple times. The Raiders are not worried about the progression or development of their rookie quarterback. They believe it will happen when it happens.
Las Vegas wants to make sure the team is ready for Mendoza, too
The Raiders’ approach with Mendoza reflects a league-wide lesson learned over the last few years. Too many teams have thrown young quarterbacks into the fire immediately and watched it ruin their development. Vegas does not want to repeat that pattern. They want to make sure Mendoza is ready, and they want to make sure the Raiders are ready for Mendoza.
Thursday night may have shown that the team isn’t quite there yet. The second-unit offensive line offered almost no protection, and that kind of environment does a young quarterback no favors.
Here’s the challenge Kubiak’s answer creates, though. If reps are what Mendoza needs most, and he’s not going to be the starter, replicating those reps becomes difficult. It hasn’t been officially announced that Mendoza won’t start, but it certainly feels that way with Cousins in the building. The early mornings, the late nights, the technological tools, and the work with Coach Sullivan will have to bridge that gap.
Mendoza, to his credit, is already doing those things. He’s been attentive, he’s been staying late, and he’s been getting there early. The work ethic is not in question. Now it’s about whether the supplemental development can keep pace with what live reps would provide.
Watching how Mendoza progresses through his career will be worth following. The Raiders believe they have their guy — they just want to make sure the foundation is right before they hand him the keys.
