Fernando Mendoza wasn’t the Raiders’ starter — how he prepared and what he did as a backup in Week 1

HENDERSON, Nev. — Fernando Mendoza stayed on the bench during the season-opening game against the Miami Dolphins, while veteran Kirk Cousins ran the schemes and engineered the Las Vegas win. Mendoza took no snaps, but prepared for every play as if he were the starter: he listened to the calls, checked the play list on his wristband, and verbalized his possible responsibilities before the snap.

According to NFL.com, Mendoza spent the entire game simulating every aspect of his game — footwork, passing progressions, and an imaginary huddle in which he repeated coach Klint Kubiak’s calls — even though he wasn’t under center. Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan helped by making him think through different scenarios and discussing reactions to coverages and blitzes; this way of working, according to the team, is part of the effort to prepare Mendoza for the moment he will need to take the leading role. It was the first time since 2018 that a first-round NFL Draft pick did not start his team’s season opener.

Offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko and Sullivan said these bench repetitions give Mendoza “reps” similar to game ones, while Kubiak described it as an effort to gain every advantage in his development. The method is not unusual for backup quarterbacks in the NFL: Cousins himself went through similar backup roles early in his career, and previous picks like Aidan O’Connell have proven the benefits of active observation and preparation alongside the starter.

Mendoza explained that wearing his helmet helped him experience the calls and communication as if on the field; he also played a supportive role for his teammates, encouraging and helping them after plays. He admitted he wants to play and is working to be ready when his turn comes, following the week’s work rhythm and the way schemes show up in games. As NFL.com reports, this detailed approach aims to make him more prepared when he takes over the starting job.