Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza is set to make his first career start in Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks.
While the 2026 No. 1 overall pick is the focus of public attention, NFL analyst Marcus Spears believes the pressure rests heavily on head coach Klint Kubiak, according to reports from Yahoo Sports.
During a segment on ESPN, Spears argued that the team’s success in this difficult matchup depends on how well the coach prepares his young signal-caller.
Spears emphasized that the primary responsibility for the coach is ensuring the 23-year-old understands his options when facing a high-level defense, as noted by ClutchPoints.
Reflecting on the difficulty of the assignment, Spears noted, “I know we’re focusing on Fernando, but I think this is more about Klint Kubiak.”
The Seahawks represent a significant challenge for a debut, as they currently hold the No. 1-ranked defense in the league, allowing an average of 244.2 yards per game.
Additionally, the Seattle defense is tied for fourth in scoring defense, limiting opponents to an average of 18 points per contest.
Mendoza, who won the 2025-26 Heisman Trophy, previously played three years at the college level, including a standout campaign at Indiana where he threw for 41 touchdowns.
Despite his experience in college, this Sunday marks his first meaningful game action since his preseason appearances.
Regarding the environment of a first NFL start, Spears added, “A young quarterback in this environment, making his first true start in the NFL is damn near impossible.”
The Raiders are looking to their new starter to lead the offense while the coaching staff attempts to settle him against the stout Seattle defensive unit.
Ultimately, the performance of the rookie will serve as a significant indicator of the current coaching effectiveness of Kubiak, the outlets reported.