Klint Kubiak makes good on quarterback promise to leave Fernando Mendoza emulating Baker Mayfield

Klint Kubiak has finally confirmed what everybody knew already and named Kirk Cousins his starting quarterback.

The Las Vegas Raiders were always unlikely to gamble on throwing No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza straight into the fray after bringing in Cousins on what is effectively a one-year deal.

Getty

Mendoza has shown flashes in preseason, but will now follow the same path as Baker Mayfield, who began his Cleveland Browns career behind Tyrod Taylor — the last first overall pick not to start Week 1.

“Ideally, you don’t want him to start from Day 1,” Kubiak said in March. “You’d love him to be able to learn behind somebody.

“That’s in a perfect world. It doesn’t always work out that way. Sometimes they have to play from Day 1, and it’s our job as coaches to get them ready to go. I think it does help the player if they can sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show.”

Mendoza will now have chance to sit and develop but must stay ready — Mayfield was thrown into the fray in Week 3 after an injury to Taylor and led a dramatic second-half comeback to snap a winless streak on Thursday Night Football.

Getty

Getty

This is a developing story and is being updated.

For the latest updates, breaking news alerts, and comprehensive analysis, refresh this page or follow our real-time news coverage by watching and listening to talkSPORT live.

For broader context, explore related coverage on our homepage for the top trending stories. For the latest talkSPORT videos, download the app.

talkSPORT cares about getting it right, not just getting it first and because this is a developing situation, details will change. We will be updating this page constantly with verified info, expert takes, and official statements.

Stay tuned for further developments as this story continues to break.