Las Vegas Raiders HC Klint Kubiak has somewhat of an answer to the million-dollar question regarding quarterback Fernando Mendoza
The Las Vegas Raiders have struggled lately, and everyone is asking when we will see quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
The Las Vegas Raiders are the first team since 2021 to start 3-0 and then proceed to lose four straight. The Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers did it then. Now it’s time to ask some questions, specifically, the Fernando Mendoza question.
You win three in a row and look like a top team in the league. You lose four in a row and look like a team still at the bottom. No one thought this team would get out to a 7-0 start, let alone a start that would have them staring right at the postseason.
In fact, most thought this team would improve and get ready for the future. So, now people are asking, when will Fernando Mendoza play? It’s time to think about the team’s future.
“We have to go watch the film, and I think at this point, we’re thinking about everything to fix our problems: how to fix our issues in the red zone, in the third quarter, and in the personnel scheme. We’ve got to talk about all of it,” Kubiak told reporters after the game when asked about when he’ll start thinking about the future and Mendoza.
Fernando Mendoza’s best game to start would be next week, but it likely won’t happen
The Raiders just went through an insane stretch of games. They played the Kansas City Chiefs, who are a dynasty; the New England Patriots, who were in the Super Bowl; the Buffalo Bills, with the MVP and a team competing for the Super Bowl; and the Super Bowl favorites, the Los Angeles Rams, who they should have lost only 35-28.
Now they play the New York Jets, who are 2-5 and one of the worst teams in football. You would think that the Raiders would be willing to throw their rookie out there that week, right? Well, not necessarily. They likely think Cousins will play better after facing a gauntlet of teams.
“We made it a competitive game. So no,” Kubiak said when asked if he ever thought about bringing Mendoza in when it was 28-6.
Mendoza’s time will come. At least now the Raiders are starting to think of it. It likely won’t be this week, but his time will come.
