Fernando Mendoza of the Raiders is not a definite choice for the backup position.

August 29, 2026

Quarterback Competition for the Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza’s path to becoming the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders may take a bit longer than many anticipated.

Despite expectations surrounding Kirk Cousins, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak hasn’t yet named the team’s starting quarterback. Michael David Smith from NBC Sports noted that Kubiak addressed the backup situation on Friday, indicating that a decision is still pending.

“We’ve got three guys that are ready to play,” Kubiak told Smith. “It’s going to be some hard decisions on who’s 1, who’s 2. That’s not a decision we have to make today, but those are discussions that are ongoing.”

All summer long, many assumed Mendoza would be positioned as Cousins’ backup this coming season, primarily because the veteran has been mentoring the rookie since he was picked first overall in the NFL Draft back in April.

However, Mendoza’s early difficulties during the preseason might suggest that veteran quarterback Aidan O’Connell has an advantage in this competition.

O’Connell has prior experience as a starter in the NFL and has performed better than Mendoza so far in the preseason.

Even with the veteran’s experience on his side, it seems like O’Connell might secure the backup role, mainly because he hasn’t committed any turnovers.

Mendoza, on the other hand, has completed 25 of 45 passes for 240 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions during the preseason. His first interception was a notable 80-yard pick-six against the Houston Texans, while his second came during the recent loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Under pressure, Mendoza has struggled, having been sacked four times, compared to O’Connell, who has only been taken down once. O’Connell has also displayed veteran savvy, completing 22 of 46 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown.

In today’s fast-paced football environment, where rookie quarterbacks are often expected to step up immediately, Kubiak seems to be taking a different approach. It looks like he’s in no rush to place Mendoza in a prominent role.