The Raiders have gotten good play out of quarterback Kirk Cousins through the first eight games of the season, with the team sitting at 4-4 after Sunday’s victory over the Jets.
With Cousins keeping the team in contention, it’s unclear when No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza might make his first career start.
That’s just fine with team owner Mark Davis, who talked about the young QB in a Monday interview with CNBC.
“From me, there’s absolutely no pressure whatsoever,” Davis said, via Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“Today, there’s a lot of pressure put on teams when they draft a guy No. 1 that you have to play him right away,” Davis added. “That’s why I think we were so fortunate to get Kirk Cousins as someone who could bridge the gap and let this young man learn a lot about what football is in the pros, the speed of the game, and the things that have to be done. … And he’s picking it up great, but I think we’re fortunate he doesn’t have to go out and play.”
Davis doesn’t want Mendoza to feel like he has to feel any kind of pressure to perform, because that could end up hindering his growth.
“I’ve seen quarterbacks get fast-tracked onto the field and they may do well, but they don’t learn all the intricacies of footwork and everything else it takes,” Davis said. “So they’re limited in their development, maybe throughout their career.
“I’m really happy with the way it is with Fernando right now, and we’ll see what happens.”
Much of Davis’ happiness with Mendoza has to do with how the QB has handled everything off the field.
“I tell people jokingly that if he can play football, he’s going to be amazing,” Davis said. “Because he’s got every other intangible you could want in a person. He’s a hard worker. He’s a sponge.
“[And] he’s working with Mr. [Tom] Brady on a lot of things.”
Mendoza has made one appearance so far this season, completing 6-of-8 passes for 48 yards in mop-up duty during the Week 5 loss to the Patriots.