Raiders’ Klint Kubiak expands on Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza decision

Contemplating the quite a few reports that surfaced main as much as Thursday’s preseason recreation between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Houston Texans, it was considerably stunning that first-year Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak declined to call veteran Kirk Cousins the group’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 suppose it ever advantages a participant to know that they’ve a spot secured,” Kubiak stated, per Myles Simmons of Professional Soccer Speak. “If there’s all the time a little bit little bit of uneasiness about that, that advantages the entire group — the participant and the group.” 

These feedback point out Kubiak could know the identification 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 might affect how Mendoza does and/or would not develop till the primary decide of the 2026 NFL Draft is handed the keys to the group’s offense. 

“Now we have expertise as coaches on creating guys after they’re not beginning a recreation, in the event that they don’t begin a recreation,” Kubiak defined. “So, it’s [arriving] early, leaving late. It’s utilizing some technological instruments at your disposal. But it surely’s actually lots of [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 nearly as good as getting all of the reps in apply, however you do one of the best you’ll be able to with what you’ve acquired.”

What Klint Kubiak favored about how Fernando Mendoza performed in opposition to Texans

Shortly after Thursday’s recreation wrapped up, Mendoza admitted that he didn’t make “a great 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 general development as a professional quarterback. 

That stated, 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 favored what he did on third down,” Kubiak added about Mendoza throughout his feedback. “We had been solely 1-of-5 on third down within the first half. Nevertheless, 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 believed he was enjoying his greatest. There are issues that we should get corrected that will likely be addressed ASAP.”

It stays to be seen if Kubiak will identify his Week 1 QB1 earlier than the Raiders’ preseason finale in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 27. In some cases, coaches like to make use of the ultimate recreation of the preseason as a “gown rehearsal” for Week 1.