Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://mypepack.gophersport.com/video/?vid=ObAMbLFQ53U Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Why Kirk Cousins Isn’t Blocking Fernando Mendoza’s Future nfl footballanalysis trainingcamp [j7ElK2a5EOK] Health Updated on August 07, 2026 EDT — Published on August 07, 2026 EDT The Raiders already know their quarterback of the future. The harder question is when that future should begin. Fernando Mendoza was the first overall pick. But as training camp opens, Las Vegas plans to give Mendoza, Kirk Cousins and Aidan O’Connell first-team reps. For Mendoza, “ready” should mean more than winning a practice period. It means setting protections, progressing beyond the first read and keeping the next decision disciplined after pressure or a mistake. When running the complete offense in games becomes a better teacher than watching Cousins run it, patience has done its job. Until then, Cousins isn’t blocking the future. He’s defining the standard it must meet. This Quick Field Note expands on Episode 2 of Football Field Notes. Watch the related full episode for the complete Raiders quarterback breakdown. Photo credits: Fernando Mendoza — Bobak Ha’Eri, CC BY 3.0; cropped, resized and lightly graded Kirk Cousins — Atlanta Falcons, CC BY 3.0; cropped, resized and lightly graded #FernandoMendoza #Raiders #NFL 89Mt9R9W9WP sJ4zaKV5CIm NtI1QXouZsS ghAihnBK1zR
The Raiders already know their quarterback of the future. The harder question is when that future should begin. Fernando Mendoza was the first overall pick. But as training camp opens, Las Vegas plans to give Mendoza, Kirk Cousins and Aidan O’Connell first-team reps. For Mendoza, “ready” should mean more than winning a practice period. It means setting protections, progressing beyond the first read and keeping the next decision disciplined after pressure or a mistake. When running the complete offense in games becomes a better teacher than watching Cousins run it, patience has done its job. Until then, Cousins isn’t blocking the future. He’s defining the standard it must meet. This Quick Field Note expands on Episode 2 of Football Field Notes. Watch the related full episode for the complete Raiders quarterback breakdown. Photo credits: Fernando Mendoza — Bobak Ha’Eri, CC BY 3.0; cropped, resized and lightly graded Kirk Cousins — Atlanta Falcons, CC BY 3.0; cropped, resized and lightly graded #FernandoMendoza #Raiders #NFL 89Mt9R9W9WP sJ4zaKV5CIm NtI1QXouZsS ghAihnBK1zR