klint kubiak
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Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak.
The Las Vegas Raiders are seemingly planning to build the team around Fernando Mendoza as their franchise quarterback, but they might not be keen on him starting Week 1 as a rookie. While rookie quarterbacks have been starting right off the bat more often than in the past, some teams still prefer to bring a rookie along slowly.
That’s what the Raiders are hoping to do. Right now, Aidan O’Connell is the only quarterback on the roster. He’s started games before, but it doesn’t make much sense as a mentor for a rookie quarterback.
Kirk Cousins has often been linked as a potential option, but he remains unsigned. Head coach Klint Kubiak admitted that the team is hoping to add a veteran option in the near future.
“We’d love to have a guy like that, a veteran presence in the room. And we’re looking at all options,” Kubiak told reporters.
Cousins has previous experience working with Kubiak when they were both with the Minnesota Vikings, so he’d make a lot of sense, but he may prefer to go somewhere he doesn’t have to be the stopgap for a rookie.
Kubiak Doesn’t Want Rookie to Start Immediately
Mendoza has played in a lot of big college football games, so he’s about as pro-ready as a rookie quarterback can be. However, the jump to the NFL is a big one, especially at quarterback.
The Raiders can’t afford to mess up Mendoza’s development. They’re going to do what they can to set him up for success. Kubiak isn’t opposed to starting a rookie in Week 1, but he prefers not to rush them on the field.
“Ideally, you don’t want him to start from Day 1,” Kubiak said. “We love him to be able to learn behind somebody that’s in a perfect world. Like I said before, it doesn’t always work out that way. Sometimes they have to play from Day 1, and it’s our job as a coach to get them ready to go.”
Kubiak Talks Mendoza
Mendoza isn’t going to be a Raider until he’s officially drafted, so the team can’t talk about him too much. Kubiak was asked about the quarterback and gave some brief praise.
“He’s a winner, he’s accurate, he’s tall [and] intelligent,” Kubiak said.
Kubiak hasn’t been able to see Mendoza play live, but he could attend the quarterback’s upcoming Pro Day. He spoke about what value there could be.
“Just seeing what their demeanor is like in a fresher situation,” Kubiak said.
The Raiders are also hosting Mendoza for a Top 30 visit soon, so that’ll give him another chance to see the quarterback up close. Kubiak is going to call offensive plays for the team, so his quarterback is going to be very important.
Mendoza has to click with the coach if things are going to work. It looks like the Raiders are set on the Indiana quarterback, but he still needs the final stamp of approval. Kubiak’s success as a head coach could hinge on whether or not Mendoza is the real deal.