Fernando Mendoza's starting timeline forces Las Vegas Raiders to tackle age-old quarterback debate.
The age-old NFL question is set to make waves yet again this year as the Las Vegas Raiders prepare to determine when to start rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who the team selected No. 1 overall during this year's NFL Draft.
Of course, before doing so, the team also signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has been in this kind of situation before, serving as the veteran starter, then backup, then starter, then backup again to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Many feel differently regarding when a rookie quarterback should see action, but the overall consensus is that good quarterbacks find success no matter when they start. Tennessee Titans rookie signal caller Cam Ward was the immediate go-to and showed a number of flashes with his high-level talent. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints took their time with Tyler Shough and believe they may have found their long-term answer at the position.
Here's how Raiders Roundtable writer Bob McCullough is squaring the conversation along with another pair of intriguing Raiders depth chart questions.
It is notable, however, that a minority owner in the Raiders franchise since 2024, has consistently railed against the lack of development success and patience the NFL has proven when it comes to the position over its recent history.
Meanwhile, head coach Klint Kubiak saw first hand the late-career ascension of quarterback Sam Darnold as the two reached Super Bowl heights together last season. No player's development trajectory is linear.
Whether Mendoza starts Week 1 or Week 10 may not matter much. What will determine his future most will be the team's patience once he steps into the lead role.