Raiders QB coach Mike Sullivan praised Fernando Mendoza, David Carr says on podcast

The Las Vegas Raiders’ rebuilt quarterback group in 2026 now includes Kirk Cousins as the established leader and Fernando Mendoza as the long-term answer. On Monday, David Carr said he spoke directly with Mendoza’s quarterback coach, Mike Sullivan, and came away with a message that Sullivan is “very happy” with what’s happening and that the process is firmly in motion.

Carr’s comments landed on the Carr brothers’ Home Grown podcast, where he described reaching out to Sullivan after Sullivan took over Mendoza’s development in Las Vegas. Carr said the point of the conversation was to learn how Mendoza’s growth is actually tracking inside the building, not just from public practice reports.

According to Carr, Sullivan emphasized that he is “right there with Fernando every day digging into the work.” Carr also said Sullivan is prepared in the way coaches must be in the film room, saying Carr “already know[s] Sullivan digs into the tape,” and that preparation is part of why the coaching staff feels good about Mendoza’s current direction.

Just as importantly, Carr framed the expectations as measured rather than immediate. Mendoza’s climb, Carr said, is a process with a long runway, even if there is public appetite for updates and a faster timeline. That perspective matters for how the Raiders manage patience at the most scrutinized position on the roster.

The Raiders, per the reporting, have moved to a quarterback structure that blends a present-day starter with a developmental centerpiece. Cousins is described as the No. 1 quarterback in the current room, while Mendoza’s role is expected to be learning-first, with training camp and the preseason presented as the first real test of what “development” looks like against live opponents.

For Raiders fans, Mendoza is more than a prospect name. The team’s recent history has left the franchise and its supporters searching for stability at quarterback, and the Raiders’ offseason additions have been shaped accordingly. In that context, Mendoza becomes the focal point for the franchise’s next phase, with Sullivan serving as the bridge between talent and execution.

What to watch next is straightforward: the day-to-day details of Mendoza’s progress and how quickly (or slowly) the Raiders begin to raise his exposure. Even if the plan remains patient, the Raiders will want early indicators that the work is converting, particularly once preseason reps start revealing timing, protection reads, and decision-making under game pressure.

If Carr’s account is a fair snapshot of the internal mood, the Raiders believe Sullivan has the right process and the right teacher-student pace for Mendoza. The coming weeks will show whether that confidence holds when Mendoza’s preparation meets live quarterbacking responsibilities, not just the coaches’ evaluation of the work in progress.