The Wire · @JP
Raiders Playing It Safe With Mendoza, Kirk Cousins Keeping Rookie QB Off the Hook
The Raiders drafted Fernando Mendoza to be their quarterback of the future, but they also signed Kirk Cousins so that Mendoza doesn't have to be QB1 to start the season.
The Raiders are taking the long view with Fernando Mendoza. They drafted him to be their quarterback of the future, but they also signed Kirk Cousins so that Mendoza doesn't have to be QB1 to start the season.
Translation: Vegas isn't throwing the kid into the fire just yet. Cousins gets the early reps while Mendoza learns the system without the pressure cooker. It's the kind of move that screams "we believe in this guy eventually, but let's not break him in week one."