Fernando Mendoza conversations taking shape as Raiders mirage comes to pass

The Raiders didn’t draft Mendoza first overall to rescue their present.They drafted him to change their future.Those two timelines are starting to inch toward each other, and a decision that seemed comfortably down the road during a 3-0 start could arrive much sooner than anticipated.

As a result, the next two weeks could go a long way in determining when the Raiders make the switch from veteran Kirk Cousins to Mendoza, the Indiana National Champion and Heisman Trophy winner and the quarterback the Raiders have every intention of becoming the face of their franchise.After dropping two straight games, the sense within the organization is that those discussions are beginning to take shape.And if the next two weeks against the Bills and Rams bring more losses, the Raiders should be prepared to turn that conversation into action and hand their rookie quarterback the keys.His development is too important to let valuable opportunities pass while waiting for circumstances that might never be perfect.The plan was always to groom Mendoza behind Cousins this season.

But the length of that apprenticeship had to depend on three things: the Raiders’ record, Mendoza’s readiness, and their ability to put a functional team around him.The standings are becoming less favorable.The other two conditions increasingly look favorable enough.That should move the conversation forward.There is precedent for making such a decision before a team is mathematically eliminated, and for measuring its value beyond the immediate results.The Giants were 5-4 when they replaced Kurt Warner with Eli Manning in November 2004.

Manning lost his first six starts before winning the finale.A year later, he helped lead New York to an 11-5 record and the playoffs.

Those difficult Sundays were part of his education.The Patriots waited five games in 2024 before replacing Jacoby Brissett with Drake Maye.New England was 1-4 when Maye took over in Week 6.

He made 12 starts that season, gaining experience ...