Mendoza never seems to rattle, offering poise under pressure and the intelligence to split defenses apart without putting the ball in harm’s way. His work in the congested red zone highlights his intelligence. Since 2024, he has thrown 39 touchdowns with no interceptions in the red zone, according to Pro Football Focus. That uncanny ability to not block scoring opportunities will pay off in Vegas.
The quarterback has the ability to compete for first downs and touchdowns with his legs when needed, but it’s not at the forefront of his game. Mendoza enters the NFL with questions about his pocket mobility, and he can struggle to escape when runners are in his lap. Sometimes he holds the ball too long, looking for big plays, and could get hit a lot if the Raiders don’t step up to the line of scrimmage.
Mendoza might not do a lot of wow-level, off-balance, and his deep ball could use some work, but his consistent ability to get breaks in the right play, find the open net quickly, and shoot accurate throws makes him a great court general.
Coming from an RPO heavy system, Mendoza will have to make some adjustments under coach Klint Kubiak. Last year in Seattle, Kubiak had a 52.6 rating under center, second-highest in the NFL, according to Next Generation Stats. The rookie quarterback will also need reps in the play-action game, something his new coach is using sparingly.
The Raiders signed quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason to give the club a veteran presence alongside Mendoza. Cousins’ familiarity with Kubiak’s scheme and success running the play-action game should help the rookie develop immediately. The veteran’s presence could allow the Raiders to wait with Mendoza as he gets his feet wet in the NFL.
Regardless of whether Mendoza starts Week 1 or not, he is the future of a revamped Raiders organization. It takes fresh breath and leadership to turn around one of the NFL’s most storied clubs, which has been a doormat for far too long.