The Las Vegas Raiders, after trying to instantly build a playoff team last offseason, are taking a more patient approach this time around. From hiring an exciting new head coach in Klint Kubiak to the first overall pick, the foundation is there for them to achieve sustained success.
However, with the addition of Kirk Cousins in free agency, the starting quarterback job became a question mark. But the latest coming out of general manager John Spytek might give fans a hint about how patient the organization is willing to be.
Will Kirk Cousins or Fernando Mendoza Start at Quarterback for the Raiders?
After a disastrous season in which they won three games, the Raiders shifted course this summer. With Mendoza looking like the prohibitive favorite to be drafted first overall, it seems like they have figured out their long-term plan for the most important position in the sport.
However, shoving a rookie into the fires of the NFL from his first game would be a tough ask. And Spytek, who has spent more than two decades around teams, understands the responsibility that comes with it.
“It’s a hard position to play, and there’s a lot to learn beyond throwing football and being a good teammate,” Spytek said. “I mean, a lot of these guys, they live their entire life in shotgun, they don’t huddle.”
As a result, he believed that there was a lot of nuance that young players, especially rookies, needed to learn about playing quarterback. His initial comments gave an idea of where the Las Vegas brain trust was leaning.
Preaching patience, he added, “We all want to see the young guys play. We want to see them play well, but we don’t want to put anybody out there, regardless of the position, who is not ready.”
However, he did not give a direct answer on who would be the starter. Instead, he maintained that it was the best man’s job for the time being. Yet, even with the job being open, he couldn’t stop gushing about Cousins.
Starting with his presence as a locker room leader and being the ultimate teammate, Spytek added, “Just anytime you have a veteran quarterback in a room that’s played at a high level that you believe can still play well and play at a high level, I think that helps everybody, especially the coaching staff, will sleep a little better at night.”
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It remains to be seen if the Raiders stick with their intended direction. But for the time being, it seems like the most obvious path for them would be to give the reins to Cousins.
Suiting up in 10 games last season for the Atlanta Falcons after Michael Penix Jr. got hurt, he ranked at No. 30 on PFSN’s QB Impact. But more than the raw production, his veteran presence could turn out to be a benefit for Mendoza and the franchise as a whole.
