SerpApi.Org
The quarterback competition in Las Vegas won't be a competition if it never becomes one.
If it's a truly open competition, the first overall pick in the draft presumably should be able to beat a 37-year-old veteran who had no clear starting opportunities elsewhere in the league. With all due respect to Kirk Cousins (who has been a very good quarterback and an even better businessman), the first overall pick in any draft should be able to win a full and fair competition with Cousins at this point in his career. (Unless the first overall pick isn't a quarterback.)
One way to keep the veterans on the team from revolting when it comes to the decision to not use Mendoza would be to minimize Mendoza's chances to show that he's the better option. Which may explain the recent suggestion from Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated that the Raiders "will sprinkle Mendoza in with the first team" during training camp.
Of course, if Mendoza makes the most out of the sprinkling, the flow could increase. If a limited apples-to-apples comparison makes it clear to the established players on the team (starting with defensive end Maxx Crosby and tight end Brock Bowers) that Mendoza could be the Johnny Appleseed for a forest of playoff appearances, the mood could shift, quickly.
The balance for the Raiders, if they're committed to keeping Mendoza in the garage for a year, will be to get him practice reps without making it clear that he should get more. And more. And more.
The Chiefs pulled it off nine years ago with Patrick Mahomes because they were a perennial playoff team under Alex Smith. The Raiders have been to the playoffs twice since the 2002 season. The players on the team will want the guy who gives them the best chance not to win later, but to win now.
Cousins has said the better player should play. As camp prepares to open, the question is whether Mendoza will get much of a chance to prove it — and whether he does enough with the "sprinkling" he gets to force the issue to the front burner.
