What does an NFL backup quarterback do on the sideline? In Fernando Mendoza‘s case, it’s working hard, though fans might not notice it right away.
Kirk Matthews, a former NFL player and current Las Vegas Raiders radio analyst, joined “Not So Fast” on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and he said Mendoza prepares for the future, though he’s doing little in the present.
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“He is extremely patient. He is well aware of the situation,” Matthews said. “I love talking to Fernando every time I get the opportunity because he knows this is part of the long game. He realizes that everything that he does is gearing up and gearing him toward a long-standing career, we think with the Raiders.”
The Raiders chose 38-year-old Kirk Cousins as their starter over Mendoza, who led Indiana football to last season’s national championship before Las Vegas picked him No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft.
The Raiders had low expectations coming into the season, but they are 2-0 and Cousins is playing well (67.8% completions, 413 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, 3 interceptions).
In a previous era, the backup charted plays on a clipboard. Mendoza has gone far beyond that.
“He wears his helmet on the sideline because he wants to hear the play call that is being given to Kirk Cousins on the field,” Matthews said. “He hears the play call, he recites back the play call to our quarterbacks coach, which is (Mike) Sullivan. Then he talks about what’s going to happen on this play or what he sees from the defense.
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“So there’s still a developmental process with Fernando Mendoza and he’s even doing that within the game. I’ve never seen that before. All my years of playing football, covering the league, I’ve never seen the backup quarterback with his helmet on, reciting the plays, fully engaged in the football game. That is something that will help him out whenever he gets that opportunity to start at quarterback for the Raiders.”
So if Mendoza gets the call into action in Week 3, Week 8 or in the 2027 season, he will have done everything he can to be ready. Hoosiers fans know all about that.
