Praise was flowing at Raiders practice Sunday, and the loudest buzz centered on rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Dylan Laube didn’t hold back when asked about him, calling Mendoza “a special talent,” saying he “had a great couple drives” against Arizona, and adding that Mendoza “is going to be a very good player.”
Laube also singled out running back Mike Washington Jr., describing him as “just a bruiser.”
On the other side of the ball, Klint Kubiak was asked about rookie receiver Malik Benson, who has moved into first-team reps. Kubiak made it clear the opportunity has been earned, saying, “He’s earned those reps but he’s got to stay humble and stay hungry.”
Among those three storylines, Mendoza’s praise carries the most weight. Kirk Cousins is still the entrenched starter, and that part of the depth chart hasn’t changed. But every strong reaction to Mendoza’s preseason work adds another layer to the conversation around where the Raiders are headed at quarterback, both now and beyond this season.
Benson’s climb matters in a different way. With Dont’e Thornton still working back from injury, Benson is pushing into real competition in the receiver room on a rookie deal, which is the kind of value the Raiders need behind Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor.
Washington’s “bruiser” label hints at a role the Raiders may be shaping behind Ashton Jeanty - not a full committee, but a complementary short-yardage presence.
The next few weeks should bring more of the same: Benson’s snaps should keep growing through the preseason, and Mendoza’s every throw will be watched closely as the Raiders keep measuring what kind of runway Cousins really has.
In Other News...
Brock Bowers' Absence Just Put Raiders Fans On Edge
Brock Bowers was nowhere to be found at a recent Raiders practice, and the silence around it was almost as notable as the absence itself. The All-Pro tight end did not participate in the session, while Tonka Hemingway and Carter Runyon were also missing, leaving Las Vegas to shuffle extra reps to its other tight ends as camp work continued.
For a team that leans on Bowers as one of its most important pieces, any missed practice naturally draws a close look, especially after he was limited at points in his second season. The Raiders have not offered an injury designation or any explanation for why he sat out, which leaves a familiar kind of practice-day suspense hanging over a player fans are watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Overlooked Raiders Just Gave The Coaching Staff Early Roster Answers
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On the other side of the ball, Treven Ma'ae, Greedy Vance Jr., Cody Lindenberg and Dalton Johnson each made their presence felt with tackles and coverage work that can matter a lot in August. Even special teams got a small but meaningful answer, with long snapper Tyler Duzansky turning in a solid outing and grading higher than his competition. None of it guarantees anything this early, but it does give Las Vegas some early clues about which overlooked players are making a legitimate case to stick around. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Mayer Could Be The Raiders Answer On Offense
Michael Mayers first preseason look in 2026 offered another reminder of why the Raiders have been so intrigued by his fit in the offense. The tight end flashed as a receiver in the opener, and with Las Vegas now bringing in veteran quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza, the passing game has a chance to look more stable around him.
Mayer is expected to be part of a two-headed tight end attack with Brock Bowers, giving the Raiders a pair of capable options in a scheme that still wants to lean on a physical run game. For a team looking to build something more balanced and dependable, that kind of usage could turn Mayer into a much bigger piece of the offense than he has been in previous stretches. [Read more 🡒]