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Klint Kubiak Confirms Fernando Mendoza Is The No. 2 Qb

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed rookie Fernando Mendoza will serve as the backup to Kirk Cousins. Kubiak would not previously say whether it would be Mendoza or Aidan O'Connell, but the team's depth chart released earlier this week showed the No. 1 overall pick as the No. 2.

Mendoza is the first quarterback since Baker Mayfield in 2018 not to start Week 1 after being the top overall pick.

"I am encouraging him to know his reads and progressions, to know the game plan," Kubiak said, via Sam Warren of TheAthletic.com. "What the guys take off of each other comes through osmosis. So he's just gotta get his butt ready to roll. The people in front of them are there to produce as well. And if he learned something from their preparation, I think that's a good thing. That's why we have [Cousins] there. But most importantly, we have [Cousins] there to go play and go win the game."

Mendoza won't get many practice reps, but he has to be ready to play as he is one play away.

"That's the life of an NFL backup," Kubiak said. "That's why he's got to be the most mature guy in the room. A guy that can prepare on his own, in the darkness, in the shadows. And then when called upon, go win the game."

Kubiak said Jackson Powers-Johnson will start at right guard ahead of Caleb Rogers, but he considers both players to be starters.

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Klint Kubiak Confirms Fernando Mendoza Is The No. 2 Qb

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