Daily News 19

Tag: Fernando Mendoza

  • Fernando Mendoza Could Face Even Worse Raiders News Nobody Expected

    Fernando Mendoza Could Face Even Worse Raiders News Nobody Expected

    Fernando Mendoza’s challenging start with the Las Vegas Raiders could take another unexpected turn after head coach Klint Kubiak declined to guarantee that the first overall pick will open the season as the team’s No. 2 quarterback.

    Kirk Cousins is widely expected to start, but Mendoza remains in competition with Aidan O’Connell for the backup role. That leaves open the possibility that one of the most prominent rookies in the 2026 NFL Draft could begin his professional career third on the quarterback depth chart.

    Klint Kubiak makes no guarantee on Mendoza’s QB2 role

    Kubiak was asked directly whether Mendoza or O’Connell would serve as Cousins’ backup if the veteran opens the season as Las Vegas’ starter.

    “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. That’s not a decision we have to make today, but those are discussions that are ongoing,” Kubiak said.

    The response gave Mendoza no assurances despite the significant investment the Raiders made by selecting him with the first pick in the draft.

    It would be highly unusual for a No. 1 overall quarterback to begin his rookie season as QB3. First overall picks are generally expected to start immediately or sit directly behind an experienced veteran.

    Mendoza could face a longer wait to play

    The Raiders appear to be in no rush to put Mendoza on the field. If Cousins wins the starting job and O’Connell is chosen as his primary backup, Mendoza could remain on the sideline even if Las Vegas needs to make an early-season quarterback change.

    Kubiak’s comments make clear that the Raiders’ quarterback hierarchy has not been finalized, creating another layer of uncertainty for Mendoza as his rookie season approaches.

    Sitting behind a veteran such as Cousins would already require patience from the first overall pick. Falling behind O’Connell as well would make for an even more surprising beginning to Mendoza’s NFL career.

    Mendoza has not officially been named QB3. However, Kubiak has made one point clear: his draft status alone will not guarantee him the backup quarterback job.

    Source: www.marca.com

  • Curt Cignetti: Fernando Mendoza’s Raiders Success May Be Out of His Hands

    Curt Cignetti: Fernando Mendoza’s Raiders Success May Be Out of His Hands

    Expectations are sky-high for Fernando Mendoza after the Las Vegas Raiders selected the former Indiana quarterback with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, Curt Cignetti, who coached Mendoza during his remarkable collegiate ascent, cautions that evaluating the rookie solely on his individual performances overlooks how dependent any quarterback is on the supporting cast around him.

    Cignetti Praises Mendoza’s Tools and Mentality

    Speaking to NFL on ESPN, Cignetti emphasized Mendoza’s physical and mental readiness for the professional level.

    “Well, I think he’s got the tools, and mentally, he’s extremely smart, dedicated, committed, does everything he can to be the best he can be, a great teammate, and a great leader,”

    “He’s a great competitor on the field. He’s got a quick arm; he’s got good arm strength, and he’s got good mobility. So, he’s got a body of work out there, and he’s going to be a really good pro.”

    Cignetti Highlights What Mendoza Needs from Raiders

    The bigger uncertainty for Cignetti isn’t whether Mendoza possesses NFL-caliber talent, but whether Las Vegas can create the conditions necessary for him to showcase it immediately.

    “People ask me, ‘How do you think he’s going to do this year?’ I said, ‘Well, I don’t know a whole lot about the Raiders, to be honest with you,’”

    “You know, you’ve got to have protection. You’ve got to have guys that can separate. You’ve got to have a run game. You’ve got to be able to play defense and special teams. It all goes hand in hand.”

    That supporting cast could become particularly important following an uneven start to Mendoza’s pro career.

    Preseason Struggles Raise Questions

    Across his first two preseason appearances, Mendoza completed 18 of 31 passes while taking two sacks and throwing one interception. His numbers when pressured have attracted particular scrutiny, with the rookie ranking near the bottom of preseason quarterbacks in both EPA per attempt and completion percentage under pressure.

    It marks a significant departure from the environment Mendoza enjoyed at Indiana, where strong protection, dependable offensive weapons, and an effective defense helped him flourish on his way to becoming college football’s standout player. Consequently, his early fortunes in Las Vegas could depend heavily on whether the Raiders can keep him protected and provide enough offensive support.

    Cignetti, though, remains convinced that even if success doesn’t arrive immediately, his former quarterback will eventually establish himself.

    “But he’s going to be a good pro if not this year, sometime soon,”