The Las Vegas Raiders' quarterback competition might be the friendliest the NFL has ever seen, with three guys who are collaborating far more than competing in the sense we normally see. Kirk Cousins knew what he signed up for: Fernando Mendoza is the future and Aidan O'Connell is the still-valued veteran by yet another new regime.
The plan all along has been for Cousins to open the season as the starter, with Mendoza taking over whenever he's deemed ready. The question is when Mendoza will step in, with plenty of thoughts about that timeline being put out there on a persistent basis.
There have also been some ideas about O'Connell being the backup to open the season, and thus the first to play if something happened to Cousins, while Mendoza is the No. 3 quarterback. But that doesn't seem likely. It's more likely that Mendoza takes over for Cousins sooner than people think.
Raiders' Kirk Cousins is what he is as a QB at this point in his career
Cousins clearly showed why he will be the Raiders' Week 1 starting quarterback during an efficient preseason run. But he is also 38 years old, with virtually no mobility left (if he ever had any) and clearly diminished arm strength.
While playing well is better than the alternative, preseason defenses are also not exactly schemed up at a regular season level. It would've been more concerning if Cousins, given his experience level, struggled than it is incredibly meaningful that he played well in preseason games.
Fernando Mendoza will be ready to take over as the Raiders starter...?
The door was kept open for Mendoza to win the starting job in training camp, but that doesn't seem to have happened. So, the original quarterback plan will come to fruition to start the season, with the No. 1 overall pick working and waiting his turn.
During his Monday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN's Adam Schefter weighed in on the Raiders' quarterback situation.
"I still think it’s going to be Kirk (as the starter for Week 1, etc.). I’d be surprised if it was anybody else other than Kirk at this point in time,” Schefter said.
“I think that’s the way it’s been trending all along, and Mendoza had moments in the preseason. There’s no doubt his time is coming. He’s going to be the starter. He’s going to be the face of the franchise. The question is how soon. I was texting with someone yesterday. They’re like, ‘sooner than you think.'"
The Raiders having a late bye in Week 13 adds a layer to the potential timeline for Mendoza to start. Some people might say it's fine to wait, and Mendoza will still get valuable experience from five starts to end his rookie season.
"I still think, I’m not telling you, I think Cousins starts the opener against the Miami Dolphins", Schefter continued. "I think they want to go with the veteran early in the season when there are some tough games on the schedule. ... I think they would love to wait until Week 13 (to start Mendoza). I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Mendoza represents everything Cousins simply can't at this point: youth, potential for the future, mobility, a strong arm, etc. The question is when the Raiders' future will become the present. With or without Schefter's insight, it may indeed be sooner than some people want to think.
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