As Las Vegas Raiders fans are excited about rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, taken with the No. 1 overall pick, this insider is implying that people should temper their high expectations. With the Raiders challenging Mendoza this offseason, as he's seen as the face of the franchise, the expectations should be consistent with the fact that he is a rookie.
That is the point Hondo Carpenter of Sports Illustrated is trying to make, as while he has “looked as good” as he thought Mendoza would perform, he is still playing like a rookie. Carpenter would make sure to mention how that isn't a “slam” on Mendoza, as it's normal for a player stepping into the NFL.
“Fernando Mendoza has looked as good as I thought he would, but he still looks like a rookie,” Carpenter said. “There are still just things rookies learn. I don't think he is extremely comfortable with his feet, just don't think he is. Think he's exponentially better, but he still looks like a rookie. So, keep your eye on that, but it's not there yet.”
“But boy, he's coming,” Carpenter continued. “He just looks like a rookie, and that's what rookies do. It's not a slam on him. Just because you won the Heisman, just because you won a national title, and just because you were the first number one overall pick does not mean you are a completed project.”
Las Vegas Raiders Podcast with Hondo Carpenter QB Fernando Mendoza: Still a Work in Progress #raiders #raidernation #LasVegasRaiders #nfl #lasvegasraidersonsi pic.twitter.com/9rBantDmku
— Hondo Carpenter (@HondoCarpenter) June 14, 2026
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Raiders' Klint Kubiak has a challenge for Fernando Mendoza
It remains to be seen how Raiders fans react to Carpenter's take on Mendoza, as some could have wanted the rookie to be NFL-ready Week 1 after an impeccable college career. If there is one person who's seeing immense improvement, it's Las Vegas head coach Klint Kubiak.
“You better be getting better every day in this league, or you're gonna get passed up. I hope that would be his answer, and we'll find out if he was right or not come the fall,” Kubiak said, via Ryan McFadden.
It remains to be seen how Mendoza progresses this offseason with the Raiders, as Kirk Cousins is also on the team.
As Las Vegas Raiders fans are excited about rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, taken with the No. 1 overall pick, this insider is implying that people should temper their high expectations. With the Raiders challenging Mendoza this offseason, as he's seen as the face of the franchise, the expectations should be consistent with the fact that he is a rookie.