Fernando Mendoza’s preseason showing has Raiders coach Klint Kubiak weighing more first-team reps

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak is again balancing two priorities as the preseason moves forward: maintaining continuity at quarterback with Kirk Cousins as the announced starter, while also gauging whether backup Fernando Mendoza is ready for an increased workload with the first unit. According to Yahoo Sports, Kubiak has been consistent in saying Cousins remains the starter, but the staff is now evaluating whether Mendoza made enough of an impression to earn more first-team reps after his recent debut.

In Mendoza’s preseason outing, he completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown during 31 offensive snaps. Those production numbers come with important context. First-team reps in preseason are limited, and quarterback performance is evaluated not just by totals, but by decision-making, timing with receivers, protection reads, and whether the offense sustains drive quality. The question the Raiders now face, as framed by Yahoo Sports, is how to calibrate that evaluation into the practice and game reps that follow.

The decision is also about what the Raiders need to learn from the preseason. Even when the starting quarterback is settled, the coaching staff has to confirm that the backup can run the offense’s structure at full speed, including the pass protections and play design required against first-team defensive looks. Kubiak’s willingness to consider additional first-team reps for Mendoza indicates that the staff saw enough to keep tightening that portion of their depth evaluation.

At the same time, the move would not be a vote of no confidence in Cousins. Yahoo Sports notes that Kubiak has been consistent about Cousins being the starting quarterback, which suggests any shift for Mendoza would be incremental rather than disruptive. In other words, Mendoza’s opportunity would likely be about preparation and clarity for the quarterback room, not about changing the public depth pecking order.

This is also the kind of roster development decision that can affect how a team approaches the final preseason sequence. If Mendoza looks comfortable running first-team sets and the offense operates cohesively, the Raiders can use additional reps to reduce unknowns. If the reps expose inconsistency, the staff can narrow Mendoza’s role to package work or more situational snaps before the regular season begins.

For Mendoza, the immediate watch item is whether the next game or subsequent preseason opportunities lead to a meaningful jump in first-team play time. Yahoo Sports frames the coaching evaluation around whether he can follow up his touchdown-drive performance with similar efficiency and control. For Kubiak, the focus is on making sure the backup quarterback is adequately prepared without pulling attention away from the starter reps and the broader team installation.

One caveat: this reporting centers on Kubiak’s consideration and internal evaluation, not on a confirmed change to the preseason game plan. Without additional official communication or expanded reporting, the Raiders’ exact distribution of reps cannot be treated as settled. Still, the fact that Mendoza’s debut has put the decision on the table is itself a notable development for the team’s offseason depth chart planning.