Klint Kubiak enters his first season as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. During his minicamp presser, Kubiak made it pretty clear that everyone, from players to coaches, has to earn their jobs, and that includes the No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza.

The Raiders currently have Mendoza, veteran Kirk Cousins and Aidan O'Connell competing for their spot. Cousins has openly embraced a "may the best man win" mentality, while the head coach directly revealed how they will evaluate the position heading into training camp.

"I think we're just we're giving guys a fair share of reps, and I would not count Aidan out. Aidan's had a phenomenal offseason...So, we just got to give them reps and make sure all three of those guys get time with the ones, and it'll [QB1] reveal itself," Kubiak said on June 16. 

As the first major evaluation point with joint practices against the Houston Texans draws closer, Cousins, Mendoza, and O'Connell will have all practiced with the first-team unit during that time.

Cousins said the quarterback room is a real collaborative environment. 

"It's more of a narrative than it is the truth. They're pretty good players, pretty experienced, and I'm learning a lot from them too. Nobody's leading more than someone else. I think we're all a working force together, helping each other, giving feedback, giving perspective, and giving another set of eyes," Cousins said at Raiders minicamp in June 2026.

Since O'Connell has a strong motivation to win the starting job and since Mendoza has been receiving coaching well, Kubiak feels that he could realistically suit any of the three players for a game tomorrow.

That confidence from Kubiak is being tested on the practice field.

Fernando Mendoza Struggles Early As the QB Competition Continues

Practice reports suggest Mendoza is not even close to challenging veteran Kirk Cousins for the top spot on the depth chart. Those on the ground are telling it like it is.

"He's not where he needs to be. I could tell you that by practice on Wednesday. I could tell you that by some of the erratic throws. I could tell you by the fact that I'm standing there talking to Ryan Hoag, and he says, 'Yeah, Fernando, he looks like a rookie today.' I'm like, 'Yeah, he does,’" Qiant Myers told the Locked on Raiders podcast. 

Myers had backup; other journalists also picked up the same shortcomings with Mendoza's mechanics and accuracy.

"Mendoza's operation wasn't as clean. He was less accurate than in prior practices; he threw behind a few receivers, resulting in deflections and incompletions." The Athletic's Sam Warren said.

Tom Brady's addition to the Raiders' office staff and his direct work with Mendoza are an indication of the team's commitment to Mendoza's growth.

Who do you think should start? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore