While the Raiders drafted Fernando Mendoza to be their quarterback of the future, they also signed Kirk Cousins so that Mendoza doesn’t have to be QB1 to start the season.
Right now, Mendoza’s job is to learn and improve during training camp.
Because of that, some days will go better than others — which is to be expected from a rookie quarterback.
According to Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Mendoza put together a bounce-back performance on Monday after an uneven Sunday. Monday was also the Raiders’ first practice in pads.
After the session, head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters that Mendoza will continue to face adversity as camp continues. But Kubiak is encouraged by what he’s seen from Mendoza overall.
“There’s 60-to-80 plays in a game, and there’s going to be ups and downs,” Kubiak said in his Monday press conference. “What quarterback can get the rest of the other 10 players playing at their best? So, that’s what we’re looking for.
“There will never be a perfect game or a perfect practice, but I think he’s doing a good job. I don’t expect him to be perfect right now.”
The Raiders’ first preseason game will be next Thursday night when they host the Cardinals.
