What happened: The Las Vegas Raiders plan to wait as long as possible before playing rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Team leadership intends to keep the rookie off the field while prioritizing developmental patience.

Why it matters: The organizational decision keeps Mendoza in reserve rather than rushing him into regular season game action. The approach preserves continuity under center while allowing the rookie quarterback time to adapt to the offense.

What to watch: The Las Vegas Raiders play at the New York Jets on Sun Nov 1, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 PM ET.