Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza knows he’s taking a “following role” as Kirk Cousins runs the first-team offense two days into training camp.
Said the No. 1 draft pick Thursday morning at Intermountain Health Performance Center: “I’m just trying to do my part and focus on the next rep and do everything that I can possibly can to prepare myself to be the best asset I can for my team and whatever decision is made at the end, that’s fantastic. I’m all for it. I just want the team to win. That’s where I’m at.”
Mendoza was sharp at practice Thursday quarterbacking the second team, pushing passes down the field with velocity and accuracy. The former Indiana star said he feels like he’s Raider now “rather than a new rookie on the scene,” having spent the last several weeks studying the scheme installed by coach Klint Kubiak.
“Every day, it’s more and more reps that I get, I feel like the entire team improves,” Mendoza said. “The more experience you put out there on the field, the more beneficial for everybody.”
Contact Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on X.