Raiders coach reportedly feels this way about alleged Fernando Mendoza growing pains

For an article published on June 29, ESPN's Ryan McFadden shared that Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza "had his fair share of growing pains, especially when playing under center, and mastering the footwork that comes with it" during springtime workouts.  

That update understandably left many assuming that first-year Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak plans to eventually name veteran and free-agency signing Kirk Cousins the team's Week 1 starter.

During a recent edition of the "Home Grown" podcast, former NFL quarterback and current analyst David Carr revealed that he recently spoke with Raiders quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan about Mendoza. 

Raiders are "very happy" with where Fernando Mendoza is in his development

"[Sullivan] is very happy, and I think I can speak at this point, having talked to Mike Sullivan, I feel really good about Fernando," Carr explained, per Austin Boyd of Heavy.

As far back as March, Kubiak hinted that he ultimately would sit Mendoza so that the promising prospect could watch "a mature adult go and run an offense and run the team" through at least a portion of the upcoming season. While there probably is a scenario where Mendoza could win the Week 1 QB1 gig if he performs like a revelation through the preseason, McFadden and others have noted that "the Raiders don't feel like they need to rush Mendoza" this summer. 

Raiders know that getting Fernando Mendoza where they want him to be is "a process" 

"It’s a process," Carr added during the podcast about Mendoza's ongoing development. "That’s basically what the conversation was like … [Sullivan] is going to be right there with Fernando every day, digging into the work. I already know Sullivan digs into the tape. They’re prepared. That’s one thing they’re going to be is prepared, and he’s extremely happy with what’s happening with Fernando. ...It’s a process. Long way to go, and so that’s all I wanted to find out from him."

It remains to be seen if Cousins and Mendoza will continue "competing" for the starting job through Las Vegas' preseason opener versus the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 13. Even if Mendoza endures somewhat of a rough preseason debut on that Thursday, it sounds like his coaches won't sound any alarms. 

That said, the Raiders could keep Aidan O'Connell as their primary backup if Mendoza looks a little overwhelmed during upcoming exhibition contests.