What happened: Fernando Mendoza has embraced the backup role since Las Vegas named Kirk Cousins its starter on Sept. 2. In Week 1, Mendoza shadowed Cousins on the sideline by calling plays, breaking mock huddles and talking through progressions between series.

Why it matters: The arrangement gives the Raiders a developmental runway for Mendoza as Cousins' backup while the veteran handles the early regular-season workload. It also shows the quarterback room using game day as part of Mendoza's development, not just as a placeholder role.

What to watch: The next checkpoint is whether that sideline workload stays in place as the season moves along and whether Mendoza gets any situational snaps behind Cousins.