The Las Vegas Raiders plan to get the best out of quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but will do so at their own pace.
Mendoza was selected first overall in this year’s NFL Draft after winning the national championship with Indiana and being named the best player in college football by winning the Heisman Trophy.
But in Las Vegas, the Raiders will not be looking to rush Mendoza into a spot where he isn’t ready.
Mendoza will be expected to compete for the Week 1 starting spot with 37-year-old veteran Kirk Cousins during training camp.
But according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Raiders may not be inclined to throw Mendoza into the deep end of the proverbial NFL pool right away.
Breer points out that Mendoza had been working on fundamentals – such as footwork and taking snaps under center – during rookie minicamp in the spring.
Raiders first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza might only be ‘sprinkled in’ during training camp
Rumors suggest Raiders coach Klint Kubiak is inclined to have Mendoza learning and adjusting to the NFL level this season to give the team a better chance of competing going forward
NFL insiders believe veteran journeyman Kirk Cousins will likely take charge in Las Vegas
In that process, the insider says ‘two things have been clear’ to new head coach Klint Kubiak and the rest of the team.
‘The first is that Mendoza’s reputation as a worker and as being coachable checked out—his presence has been constant at the facility, and he has shown the ability to absorb what he’s being taught and translate it to the practice field quickly.
‘Second, Kirk Cousins and Mendoza already have a really strong relationship, which should help the rookie as he navigates his first season as a pro.’
Despite Mendoza’s ability to be a quick study, Breer believes Cousins will win the starting job as Kubiak ‘will be very deliberate in how the Raiders bring Mendoza along, as much as anything to ensure that the progress he’s making takes and becomes permanent.’
‘It does sound like the Raiders will sprinkle Mendoza in with the first team this summer – with Cousins’ extensive background in the scheme giving them more flexibility to do so – as part of the rookie’s larger development plan.’
There’s prior precedent for parking a top quarterback talent in the garage before eventually handing them the keys to the offense.
The Kansas City Chiefs did this when they had Patrick Mahomes behind Alex Smith. Eventually, the time came to give Mahomes control and he led the team to three Super Bowl titles and five appearances.
