Contemplating the quite a few reports that surfaced main as much as Thursday’s preseason sport between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Houston Texans, it was considerably shocking that first-year Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak declined to call veteran Kirk Cousins the staff’s Week 1 beginning quarterback over rookie Fernando Mendoza following Las Vegas’ 22-20 win.
Whereas talking with media members on Friday, Kubiak expanded on that call.
Klint Kubiak needs Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza to really feel “uneasiness”
“I simply don’t assume it ever advantages a participant to know that they’ve a spot secured,” Kubiak mentioned, per Myles Simmons of Professional Soccer Discuss. “If there’s at all times just a little little bit of uneasiness about that, that advantages the entire staff — the participant and the staff.”
These feedback point out Kubiak might know the id of his Week 1 starter. Cousins did not play in opposition to the Texans, and Mendoza’s first drive of the night ended with an unsightly pick-six. In complete, Mendoza accomplished 8 of 15 cross makes an attempt for 86 yards and the beforehand talked about interception.
Assuming Cousins is known as the starter for Las Vegas’ Week 1 matchup in opposition to the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13, he’ll obtain first-team reps throughout midweek practices. Understandably, that would affect how Mendoza does and/or would not develop till the primary choose of the 2026 NFL Draft is handed the keys to the staff’s offense.
“We now have expertise as coaches on growing guys after they’re not beginning a sport, in the event that they don’t begin a sport,” Kubiak defined. “So, it’s [arriving] early, leaving late. It’s utilizing some technological instruments at your disposal. However it’s actually numerous [quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan] spending some early mornings and lengthy nights with Fernando and [backup Aiden O’Connell]. After which you’ll be able to construct in young-guy reps into your practices. There’s issues you are able to do. It’s by no means pretty much as good as getting all of the reps in follow, however you do the most effective you’ll be able to with what you’ve acquired.”
What Klint Kubiak appreciated about how Fernando Mendoza performed in opposition to Texans
Shortly after Thursday’s sport wrapped up, Mendoza admitted that he didn’t make “a very good throw” on the ball that was intercepted and returned for a rating. He additionally acknowledged that “there’s much more studying to do” relating to his total development as a professional quarterback.
That mentioned, Kubiak advised on Friday {that a} evaluation of the sport movie confirmed Mendoza did loads of good issues at Houston’s Reliant Stadium.
“I actually appreciated what he did on third down,” Kubiak added about Mendoza throughout his feedback. “We have been solely 1-of-5 on third down within the first half. Nonetheless, we did drop the ball twice, and we threw one in need of the sticks on third-and-long. He had actually good ball placement on the primary third down of the sport, with a man in his face. So, on the essential downs, I assumed he was enjoying his greatest. There are issues that we should get corrected that will probably be addressed ASAP.”
It stays to be seen if Kubiak will title his Week 1 QB1 earlier than the Raiders’ preseason finale in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 27. In some situations, coaches like to make use of the ultimate sport of the preseason as a “costume rehearsal” for Week 1.
