Insider shares bad news for Fernando Mendoza about Kirk Cousins competition

Whether or not first-year Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak will give rookie Fernando Mendoza a legitimate chance to win the team's Week 1 starting quarterback job over offseason acquisition Kirk Cousins is on track to be the top story hovering over the Raiders when veteran players are due to report for training camp on July 28.

On Monday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shared some bad news for Mendoza regarding the No. 1 overall pick's chances of beginning his debut pro season as the Raiders' QB1.

Why "it’s probably unlikely" Raiders will make this Fernando Mendoza, Kirk Cousins decision

"Could Mendoza win the job? I think it’s probably unlikely," Breer said. "Kubiak, I believe, will be very deliberate in how the Raiders bring Mendoza along, as much as anything to ensure that the progress he’s making takes and becomes permanent. But it does sound like the Raiders will sprinkle Mendoza in with the first team this summer — with Cousins' extensive background in the scheme giving them more flexibility to do so — as part of the rookie’s larger development plan."

Kubiak has been warned that he could have a player mutiny on his hands if he doesn't give Mendoza a shot to compete for the starting job. That said, Mendoza reportedly "had his fair share of growing pains" during springtime workouts. If those pains are visible to outsiders when the Raiders open the preseason with a game versus the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 13, fans and others who are clamoring for Mendoza to be the team's Week 1 starter may quickly start singing a different tune. 

This has been "clear" about Fernando Mendoza during early days of NFL career

"Two things have been clear," Breer added. "The first is that Mendoza’s reputation as a worker and as being coachable checked out — his presence has been constant at the facility, and he has shown the ability to absorb what he’s being taught and translate it to the practice field quickly. Second, Kirk Cousins and Mendoza already have a really strong relationship, which should help the rookie as he navigates his first season as a pro."

Those running the Raiders are banking on the strength of that relationship being a positive for Mendoza as it pertains to his overall development. Having Cousins as a mentor could also help keep Mendoza from feeling too disappointed if the first-year pro begins the season as the Raiders' QB3 behind fellow backup Aidan O'Connell.