Raiders Rebuild: Mendoza on Bench | Las Vegas Raiders News

The Raiders are in rebuild mode, with top draft pick Fernando Mendoza sitting out the first half of the season to protect him from tough early matchups, leaving Kirk Cousins as the starter and setting up a potential 2-5 start before Mendoza even plays. The backup QB role sparks debate—should Aidan O’Connell, with starting experience, take over instead of risking Mendoza? Meanwhile, Cousins’ trade value is dwindling, while O’Connell could be moved for a backup if needed. Maxx Crosby, the team’s best player, might be traded for future picks if the Raiders struggle. On the roster bubble, Dylan Laube, a special teams standout and receiving threat, edges out competition for the third RB spot—and this could be his breakout year. It’s all about building for the future: smart reps, strategic trades, and maximizing every player’s potential—even if it means benching stars or letting rookies develop slowly. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/249bfc68d167c370