Coach Klint Kubiak's Las Vegas Raiders are 4-5 heading into a pivotal home game against Mike Macdonald's Seattle Seahawks which will give rookie QB Fernando Mendoza a chance to make history. Mendoza is said to be “more than ready” to step in, according to NFL reporter James Palmer, while legendary coach Bill Parcells has also chimed in.
He cautioned that about the unpredictability of rookies in comments made to Catherine Zadzora of The 33rd Team.
“It's always the new thing they want to see, but what they don't understand is, where is this new rookie, where really is he in this world? Is he prepared for professional football at this moment? They're young, they're less expensive, and it's very good to integrate new players onto your team, provided they can make a contribution. And the question is, really, when they make that contribution? And the question is, always, when are they really ready to make that contribition?
“Some, it's immediate, others, it takes forever, some, never do it. So, it's just the judgment based on what you've seen in practice as the rookie tries to acclimate, really, into a new profession.”
Mendoza seems like a possible exception to what Parcells was saying, as he led Indiana to the 2025 national championship. His intelligence has been repeatedly praised by coaches and he had an opportunity to learn under longtime NFL star Kirk Cousins before taking the reins after Cousins' recent trade.
Mendoza has gained belief and support from his teammates as he prepares to lead the Raiders against the defending Super Bowl champs in Vegas. Parcells, and Mendoza's coaches, for that matter, might be more surprised if he doesn't fare well in his first start, considering his immense talents.