Raiders' Mendoza: Start or Bench?

0:00On April 3rd, the Las Vegas Raiders look locked in to grab Fernando Mendoza as the number one overall pick, even after dropping $20 million. On a one-year deal for veteran Kurt Cousins. Now the big debate is, timing. Does this rookie quarterback jump straight into the starting role or sit back and learn first? Head coach Clint Kubiak made it clear at the NFL owner's meetings that he wants Mendoza developing on the bench, with Cousins serving as that steady. The bridge guy to ease the transition. Not everyone's on board with waiting though. ESPN's Mike Greenberg says, play the kid when he's ready, whether that's week one, week eight, or even year two, no rush, just smarts. He points out the last three number one picks, like Cam Ward last year and Caleb Williams the year before, all started right away, but struggled as. Rookies. Cousins backs the patient approach too, shouting out how Aaron Rogers chilled for three years, and Carson Palmer waited a full season before shining. Mendoza's no slouch either, dude, lit it up at Indiana with over 3,500 passing yards,

1:0541 touchdowns, just six picks, plus 276 rushing yards and seven scores. Raiders got their rare luxury now to watch, wait, and lay readiness call the shots without any panic pressure.