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Raiders Tease QB Shakeup After Fernando Mendoza's NFL Debut
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Las Vegas Raiders have sent a clear message this offseason about Kirk Cousins' place on the roster after taking Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in April's draft.
The plan was for Cousins to be the starting quarterback to start the season while Mendoza develops this fall behind the veteran signal-caller. Ideally, the Raiders want Cousins to lead the team to the postseason. It remains to be seen what Las Vegas would do at quarterback if it falls out of the playoff race in December or January.
On Friday, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters that the coaching staff would discuss how they want to split first-team reps at practice after Thursday night's preseason game. Mendoza could earn more first-team reps after his performance in the Raiders' 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
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“We’re going to put a plan together this week and that’s something that we’re talking about as a coaching staff right now,” Kubiak said of potentially giving Mendoza more reps with the first team, via Pro Football Talk.
“But whether it’s Aidan O’Connell, Kirk, or Fernando — I would say all three of those guys deserve first-team reps. But we’ve got to go put a plan together on how we’re going to split them up.”
Mendoza was dismissive of his performance against the Cardinals, feeling like he let his teammates down . He went 10 of 16 passing for 97 yards and one touchdown. It wasn't the worst performance by a rookie in his preseason debut, but he missed a couple of throws.
Kubiak appreciated Mendoza taking responsibility after the game, noting that the best quarterbacks in the league challenge themselves to become better.
“The best quarterbacks I’ve been around are the ones who are hard on themselves,” Kubiak said. “They put the finger on them before they put it on their teammates. I think he played good football last night and is going to continue to get better."
The Raiders need Mendoza and O'Connell to get some first-team reps during the preseason in case something happens to Cousins. Eventually, the torch will be passed to Mendoza, and he'll need to be confident when he makes his first debut in the regular season.
For more on the Raiders and the NFL , head to Newsweek Sports .
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