Raiders Mailbag: Can Fernando Mendoza win starting QB job in preseason?
Silver And Black Pride • • sports
Key Points:
- Fernando Mendoza showed promise in his preseason debut and is expected to get more reps with the starting offense, keeping the door open for him to potentially win the Week 1 starting QB job despite Kirk Cousins being the favorite.
- Spencer Burford appears to have the left guard position locked up, while Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers are competing for the right guard spot; Trey Zuhn III is being developed as a versatile lineman, primarily at right tackle.
- Powers-Johnson may be a trade candidate if he doesn't win a starting role, while other young players like Decameron Richardson could also be moved depending on their preseason performance and roster needs.
- The Raiders' defensive scheme values a strong slot corner/nickelback, with Treydan Stukes potentially fitting that role, but overall, free safety is generally more highly valued in the NFL.
- Realistic expectations for the Raiders' 2026 season include around six wins, steady improvement throughout the year, and defensive goals of avoiding bottom-tier rankings while developing a young core of players.
