Jason Kelce thinks the Raiders may have set up Fernando Mendoza for a strong start to his NFL education.
With Kirk Cousins slated to open the season as Las Vegas’ QB1, Kelce sees more than just a bridge starter. He sees a veteran whose habits can help shape the team’s top pick and future quarterback.
Speaking on ESPN's NFL Countdown Special Edition, Kelce explained why he likes the arrangement for Mendoza.
“I like the way that they're doing this, right? They go out and get a veteran quarterback known for being prepared and on top of it mentally, and he's gonna be able to teach this young guy, Mendoza, how to prepare, right?
So much of what a rookie learns isn't just from the coaches. It's what you learn from the veterans in place.
Kelce pointed to a familiar example from his own time with the Philadelphia Eagles, comparing the setup to what the team had with Carson Wentz and Chase Daniel.
“When we drafted Carson Wentz, we brought in Chase Daniel, and part of the reason they did that, I firmly believe, is because he was with Drew Brees. And I remember Chase Daniel and Carson Wentz preparing like they were Drew Brees like, when they're coming into the building, what they're doing…studying first throughout the week, what they're doing on Wednesday, what they're doing on Thursday, how they're going about it.
Kelce said Mendoza should benefit from Cousins’ background across several systems and seasons of success.
“And Mendoza's gonna be able to learn from a guy who's been in multiple different systems, been around a lot of success in this league, seen how it's done right, seen how it's done wrong. It's a really awesome pairing for a young kid, number one overall to learn from.”
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Malik Benson Just Put His Raiders Opening Week Case In Trouble
Fernando Mendozas preseason outing against the Texans had its bright spots and its ugly ones, but for Malik Benson, the tape will mostly be remembered for the missed chances. The Raiders rookie wide receiver, who has flashed enough in training camp to generate some optimism, managed one catch for 18 yards while also putting two passes on the ground in a game where every clean rep mattered.
Benson came into the summer with a real opening to strengthen his case for regular-season snaps, especially as a late-round pick trying to carve out a role. Instead, the kind of mistakes that can linger in the minds of coaches showed up at an inopportune time, leaving his path to Week 1 looking a little less secure than it did before this preseason test. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Fans Will Notice How Fernando Mendoza Responded To One Brutal Mistake
Fernando Mendozas preseason debut for the Raiders had the kind of jolt that can change a game in a hurry, and it came on a play he would probably like to forget. The rookie quarterback threw an interception that Houston Texans rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz turned into an 80-yard touchdown, a swing that immediately put Mendoza under a brighter spotlight as he continued working through the early stages of his NFL career.
What stood out, though, was the way Mendoza reacted after the mistake. Instead of easing up, he chased Woodaz and tried to make the tackle before the score was complete, a small but telling detail about how he handled the moment. Troy Aikman also noted on the broadcast that the play may have been the result of a miscommunication rather than a simple misread, which leaves the Raiders with a familiar preseason question - how much of a costly turnover was a quarterback mistake, and how much was just the kind of timing issue young passers have to clean up. [Read more 🡒]
Aidan OConnell May Have Just Ended A Raiders QB Debate
Aidan OConnell got the second-half chance in the Raiders preseason game against the Texans and made it count in a way that could matter long after August. He completed 15 of 24 passes for 166 yards, posted an 83.0 passer rating and even added a rushing touchdown, then capped the night by guiding Las Vegas on a 98-yard game-winning drive in a 22-20 win.
For a team still sorting out its quarterback pecking order, that kind of finish carries real weight. OConnell has been working to lock down the No. 2 job behind Kirk Cousins, and a poise-filled comeback drive in the preseason is exactly the sort of showing that can tilt a debate in his favor, even if the final call is still waiting to be made. [Read more 🡒]