Yahoo Sports NFL on Fernando Mendoza
From the article
Cousins' absence created an unexpected opportunity for Mendoza, who received all of the first-team quarterback reps. The Raiders have never said Mendoza will not play this season. Quite the opposite, they remain open to him winning the starting job outright in training camp and lining up under center for the season opener against the Dolphins.
STACKED’s take
Mendoza earned first-team reps and remains in contention to start Week 1 against Miami.
Mendoza received all of the first-team quarterback reps after Kirk Cousins was benched for the day as punishment for a heated exchange with Maxx Crosby. The Raiders have made it clear they will not rush Mendoza onto the field, but they remain open to him winning the starting job outright in training camp and lining up under center for the season opener against the Dolphins. Coach Klint Kubiak stated: 'I'm not really married to any position. We're a new staff here, we're trying to establish something, and there's got to be competition everywhere. We'll just sit here and let the tape reveal itself.' This leaves multiple possibilities on the table: Mendoza could win the job outright and start Week 1, Cousins could open the season as the starter before eventually giving way to Mendoza, or Mendoza could spend his entire rookie season watching and learning, though that scenario feels increasingly difficult to envision.
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