The entire NFL world has hung breathlessly on every performance submitted by top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza, but Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak raised the possibility that Mendoza could be named the third-string quarterback going forward, according to a report from Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.
It’s a surprising development given that the biggest question surrounding Mendoza heading into the preseason was when he’d supplant veteran starter Kirk Cousins, but Mendoza has looked very much like a rookie who’s still figuring it out during his initial starts and appearances.
“We’ve got three guys that are ready to play,” Kubiak said as he tried to put a positive spin on the situation. “It’s going to be some hard decisions on who’s 1, who’s 2. That’s not a decision we have to make today, but those are discussions that are ongoing.”
Aidan O’Connell was supposed to be the third quarterback coming into camp, but he’s gone from forgotten man who might be traded to a viable backup for Cousins. Mendoza, meanwhile, has thrown a couple of ugly interceptions while completing about 50 percent of his throws.
Kubiak foreshadowed this situation with many of his offseason comments, as he stated that he wants to have “an adult in the room” starting in Week 1. That would be Cousins, who’s quietly run the offense well while leading solid drives that have left no doubt that he should be the starter.
O’Connell has played reasonably well in the preseason, as he led an “impressive” touchdown drive to take the lead against the Houston Texans last week in the Raiders 22-20 win.
He still wants an opportunity to start, which is supported to some extent by his career numbers of 3,579 yards, 18 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a completion percentage of 62.5 percent in 17 previous starting efforts.
Now he may not get it, at least not in Las Vegas. Mendoza is still considered the future franchise quarterback at this point, but O’Connell goes into this season carrying a cap hit of $3.64 million, and it would seem like madness to trade him given what the rookie has put on the field so far.
It’s one of many tough decisions Kubiak faces with roster cuts coming tomorrow as the Raiders try to rebuild after a 3-14 season. The new coach also knows he needs to win games, and playing Mendoza before he’s ready would produce the opposite of that.
