Klint Kubiak provides early update on Fernando Mendoza, quarterback competition in training camp

HENDERSON, NEVADA - JULY 29: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks to pass during the first practice of the team's training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center on July 29, 2026 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Las Vegas Raiders are only about a week into practice, but the biggest storyline from Raiders' training camp is monitoring the quarterback situation and, more specifically, rookie Fernando Mendoza.

That comes with the territory of taking a signal-caller with the first overall pick of the draft, as the fanbase wants to know how the future of the franchise is looking. So head coach Klint Kubiak should expect to get questions about Mendoza and the most important position on the field throughout camp, and the topic was brought up after Friday's practice.

Kubiak said that he's pleased" with where all the quarterbacks are right now and their work ethic, noting that the position battle has had a positive start". He also mentioned that Mendoza, along with expected third-stringer Aidan O'Connell, have been pushing Kirk Cousins, who was officially named the starter to begin training camp.

Anytime [Mendoza or O'Connell] complete a ball better than [Cousins] does or get it out faster than he does, then he should get pissed and want to do it better; that's the goal," the coach said. And I think they've done that in these first three practices. Every guy is doing something good every day, and it makes the other guy want to stay after practice a little bit longer to work on that throw that they missed. So, it's a really bright room. Coach Sullivan is doing a great job."

As for Mendoza, specifically, Kubiak shed some light on how the rookie can grow and how he's handling criticism.

I love the mindset that he has," Kubiak replied. That's what all of our players should have. Nobody has
arrived, especially a rookie quarterback. So, you just keep giving them a new rep every day, and coach from it, and go back the next day, solve the problem, and go to work and fix a new problem. He's just like everybody else that's got to earn their way.

...He's very coachable, all the quarterbacks are. Really, all of our players are. We've got guys that want to get better. So, when they're eager to get better, you better make sure you're on it as a coach. So, we've got to challenge ourselves as coaches and make sure that we're giving them the right coaching points and helping them get to where they want to get to."

In summary, it's all positive from the early stages of camp. However, the first true stress tests won't come until the team puts the pads on next week, and then when the Arizona Cardinals roll into Las Vegas for the first preseason game on Aug. 13.

In Other Raiders' Links:

• Kwity Paye OK: After a scare in practice where Paye went down and did not return, Kubiak said the edge defender avoided a serious injury, and the team is just trying to play it safe at this stage.
• Mendoza Mania National Championship: The culmination of the summer series, diving into the Heisman Trophy winner's performance on the big stage.
• Raiders listed as fit for Vita Vea: Second-year general manager John Spytek was a longtime Buccaneers executive who played a role in drafting Vea out of Washington in 2018," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote. The Raiders' current defensive tackles are a journeyman (Adam Butler) and a promising 2024 seventh-rounder (Jonah Laulu). So there's plenty of room for reinforcements."
• Mendoza fine with QB2 role: Whatever decisions are made at the end, that's fantastic - and I'm well for it,'" the first overall draft pick said, via ESPN's Ryan McFadden. I just want the team to win, so that's where I'm at.'"