Silver And Black Pride on Fernando Mendoza

ArticleRaiders Mailbag: Should Las Vegas consider trading Tre Tucker?
Read the full article

From the article

I think there's a good chance Mendoza's first start comes after the bye in Week 14. I won't go as far as saying it'd be 'malpractice' not to play him this year, but I will say that they need to take the training wheels off at some point and let him get live reps. The Raiders still have a chance at making the playoffs right now, and Cousins is playing well. So there's no need to make a change right now. But once the postseason becomes an afterthought, it's time to turn it over to the rookie.
Captured by STACKED 1 hr after posting

STACKED’s take

NeutralRole

Mendoza's first start likely comes after bye in Week 14 if Raiders fade.

The source believes Mendoza's first start likely comes after the bye in Week 14, given the Raiders' 5-7 projected record heading into December and slim playoff odds. While not calling it 'malpractice' to sit him all season, the source argues the organization needs to give him live reps to work through struggles and build for 2027. Kirk Cousins is playing well and the Raiders still have a playoff chance, so no immediate change is warranted, but once the postseason becomes an afterthought, the rookie should get his opportunity.

Fernando Mendoza headshotFernando MendozaLVPlayer page — value, ADP, projections, and every insight

More on Fernando Mendoza and from Silver And Black Pride