Fernando Mendoza: I've grown leaps and bounds this offseason

As the Raiders' No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza is not yet the starter, but he is pushing to change that this offseason. In the team's offseason program, he remains behind veterans Kirk Cousins and Aidan O'Connell, taking reps with the threes and some with the twos. Mendoza stressed daily effort, saying he treats every rep as if it were a Super Bowl and aims to prove himself. New coach Klint Kubiak has signaled a preference for a rookie to wait before starting, and sportsbooks project Cousins to open Week 1. The Raiders are balancing development with competition as camp approaches. The organization views this period as crucial for his long-term readiness and overall quarterback depth.