Raiders plan to give top pick Fernando Mendoza 'plenty of experience' in Thursday's preseason opener

The Las Vegas Raiders have no intention of starting rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the beginning of the regular season, but they intend to showcase him extensively in preseason games. Coach Klint Kubiak announced that Mendoza will take part in Thursday's preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, giving him ample opportunity to gain experience.

Kubiak mentioned that Mendoza will receive "plenty of reps" during the game, though the exact extent of his playing time remains unclear. The Raiders' starter, Kirk Cousins, is expected to begin the season as their leader, potentially sidelining Mendoza early on. However, Mendoza, who brings considerable experience from leading Indiana to a national championship, may still find himself in the spotlight if he impresses in the preseason.

Reports from Mendoza's training camp have been mixed, with some highlighting his good grasp of the offense and accuracy, while others point out his struggles, such as off-target throws and difficulty handling snaps. Regardless, Kubiak remains confident in Mendoza's progress, stating that he is doing a good job and is not expecting perfection at this stage.

Fans can look forward to observing Mendoza's development throughout the preseason, with his performance likely to be a key talking point.