SerpApi.Org
The Las Vegas Raiders are taking a patient approach with rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but they have no intention of keeping him on the sidelines throughout training camp. According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, head coach Klint Kubiak plans to give the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion a handful of first-team reps while veteran Kirk Cousins remains the favorite to open the season as QB1.
Mendoza enters the NFL carrying enormous expectations after being selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. While Cousins' experience and familiarity with Kubiak's offensive system give him the early edge, the Raiders want to begin accelerating the rookie's development by exposing him to meaningful practice opportunities against the starting defense.
Training camp officially begins on July 29, with rookies scheduled to report several days earlier. However, Mendoza is still one of only a few first-round selections from the 2026 draft class who has yet to sign his rookie contract. His four-year rookie deal is expected to be worth approximately $57.3 million, including a signing bonus of roughly $38.1 million, with negotiations reportedly centered on the payment structure rather than the contract's total value.
The delay is not expected to become a major issue. Rookie holdouts have become increasingly rare under the NFL's current rookie wage scale, and both the Raiders and Mendoza understand the importance of getting the franchise's future quarterback into camp as quickly as possible to begin learning the offense.
One of the biggest adjustments awaiting Mendoza will be adapting to playing under center. Throughout his collegiate career at California and Indiana, he primarily operated out of shotgun formations, taking very few snaps from under center. That will change in Kubiak's offense, which has traditionally relied on more conventional quarterback mechanics and play-action concepts.
Kubiak's background also explains why Cousins currently holds the advantage. The two previously worked together with the Minnesota Vikings, where Kubiak served as quarterbacks coach before becoming offensive coordinator. During that stretch, Cousins enjoyed some of the most productive seasons of his career, earning two Pro Bowl selections while mastering Kubiak's offensive philosophy.
Although Mendoza is expected to begin his rookie season as the backup, the Raiders clearly view him as the long-term face of the franchise. Every first-team repetition this summer will be an important step in preparing the former Indiana star for the day he eventually takes over as Las Vegas' full-time starting quarterback.
