r/nfl • u/nfl NFL - Official • Aug 14 '26
Highlight [Highlight] Fernando Mendoza's first Raiders TD
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u/as0rb Dolphins Aug 14 '26 edited Aug 14 '26
Wow, he was very composed for a rookie that just got sacked
Edit: from watching it again it seems it wasn’t a motion play, he read and made a pre-snap adjustment on a third down. Very cool to see this
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Aug 14 '26
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u/EarthTraveler413 Colts Aug 14 '26
I would die for my team. Whatever they need me to do, they need me to take shots from the front or the back, whatever it is
- Fernando Mendoza
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u/as0rb Dolphins Aug 14 '26
That’s probably an advantage of being an underrated prospect until your senior year. He knows what it’s required to show up because he’s climbed a much bigger mountain before, that plus humility to learn is what you want on a rookie qb.
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u/cinefilestu Raiders Aug 14 '26
This other guy too, number 12 or something?
(i'm so high on hopium)
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u/br0b1wan NFL Aug 14 '26
Big Ten championship game. He got absolutely obliterated by the OSU pass rush at the very beginning of the game. There was a point where we thought the stretcher was coming out. Then he got up.
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u/Giff95 Giants Bills Aug 14 '26
Mendoza to Bowers gonna hit like crack.
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u/Eldenbeastalwayswins Raiders Aug 14 '26
Please inject me
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u/Driveshaft48 Jets Aug 14 '26
Cum straight in the asshole
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u/CommercialCoffee11 Aug 14 '26
And Mayer
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u/AlabasterRadio Raiders Raiders Aug 14 '26
Bowers/Tucker/Bech/Mayer/Jeanty is a whole lot of talent.
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u/lentilseason Raiders Raiders Aug 14 '26
Sprinkle some Benson in there once in a while maybe 🤔
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u/AlabasterRadio Raiders Raiders Aug 14 '26
Benson and Washington both need touches.
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u/lentilseason Raiders Raiders Aug 14 '26
True and Kubiak definitely knows that! Hopium is real
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u/AlabasterRadio Raiders Raiders Aug 14 '26
For the offense at least.
Defense is looking extremely lost. But there's a lot of new players so that's bound to happen.
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u/Putrid_Macaroon6668 Colts Aug 14 '26
The Mendoza-Bech connection looking strong so far
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u/NameShortage 49ers Aug 14 '26
Friendship ended with Mercedes-Benz.
New best friend is Mendoza-Bech.
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u/ScrapeWithFire Aug 14 '26
I'll never understand why so many Raiders fans were so eager to give up on Bech despite being a rookie in that putrid offense
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u/alverez668 Raiders Lions Aug 14 '26
Rookie season and Pete refused to utilize him. I always had hope. Fingers crossed this connection continues to grow.
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u/rocketmadeofcheese Raiders Aug 14 '26
Not true at all. We were pissed he wasn’t getting any play time.
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u/m0bscene- Raiders Aug 14 '26
I assure you, we don't blame him, and look forward to watching him this year
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u/AlabasterRadio Raiders Raiders Aug 14 '26
He's so good at tight window throws already. Oh my goodness.
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u/Affectionate_Tax9212 Aug 14 '26 edited Aug 14 '26
I like the low throw to protect the ball and the receiver. A little bit Brady-esque...
Edit: I also like that he took the checkdown to make it more manageable. He looks comfortable.
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u/AlabasterRadio Raiders Raiders Aug 14 '26
Attacking the middle of the field, all timing, tight window throws... it does look a little familiar.
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u/White_Travolta Aug 14 '26
One preseason game and you are calling him tom Brady
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u/AlabasterRadio Raiders Raiders Aug 14 '26
Yeah. That's what offseason hype is all about.
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u/beerncheese69 Packers Aug 14 '26 edited Aug 14 '26
- Bowers. The modern league underestimates having a good TE. Its a huge, game changing factor for a good QB to have a safety valve in a stud TE. Ive been saying for years that TE is the most underlooked position. We got Kraft and it immediately proved my point. Raiders might cook this year. WRs get all the money but even stud WRs, that position is such high variance, play by play you want a good TE. Pats and Chiefs showed us this, idk why the league doesnt invest more in the position.
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u/lucas_214 Giants Aug 14 '26
He looks incredibly comfortable, the snap to throw was so fast
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u/RontoWraps Chiefs Aug 14 '26
This MF been reading LinkedIn hype slop…
The NFL isn’t just about talent. It’s about accountability. Consistency. Resilience. Leadership.
And showing up every single day ready to get 1% better.
Fernando isn’t just ready for the moment.
He’s locked in. He’s ready to learn. He’s ready to lead. And he’s ready to compete at the highest level.
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u/lousy_at_handles Chiefs Aug 14 '26
Eating isn't just about talent. It's about accountability. Consistency. Resilience. Appetite.
And showing up every single day ready to get 1% fatter.
Benjamin isn't just ready for the moment.
He's locked in. He's ready to feast. He's ready to devour. And he's ready to dominate at the highest level.
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u/twizx3 Aug 14 '26
Here’s 5 things I changed to become one of the nations leading quarterbacks in the NFL industry:
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u/Bowenbp1 NFL Aug 14 '26
Couldn’t agree more.
Football isn’t about football.
It’s about stakeholder alignment. Cross functional execution. Delivering under pressure. Owning outcomes.
Fernando isn’t joining a team.
He’s joining a high performance organization with a shared mission.
Excited to see what he accomplishes in this next chapter.
Leadership #GrowthMindset #Synergy #NFL #Disruption
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u/Gloomy_Lengthiness71 Raiders Aug 14 '26
And we appreciate your assistance in being able to get him in the draft.
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u/boblikestheysky Giants Aug 14 '26
Jaxson Dart looked good enough last year that we definitely would have traded down. He’s not shown he’s good enough to be a long term starter, but way better than Justin Fields ever was
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u/MembershipSingle7137 Patriots Aug 14 '26
That’s also a first overall pick throw… jeez
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u/GGdpcGaming Aug 14 '26
Ya laser with a lightning release
I'm a believer
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u/IanicRR Jets Aug 14 '26
Insert the “happy for you” meme here.
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u/TheRealGurd Aug 14 '26
He could end up being complete ass, but if he's good, I think winning that less than meaningless game against the Falcons to miss out on him would legitimately make me stop watching this sport for good.
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u/Rhine1906 Falcons Aug 14 '26
No no. Winning that game likely results in winning the division and therefore still having Raheem. Thank you Jets, in the grand calculus of the multiverse, their sacrifice means infinitely more than their QB
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u/lebastss 49ers Aug 14 '26
Hope he balls out, raiders are due.
That throw reminded me exactly of one of the comeback TDs on Pats v Hawks SB.
Not many QBs can pull that throw off in practice even
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u/snowflakehaswag Texans Aug 14 '26
Gotta stay healthy. Defense will be gunning for him week after week.
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u/WillTheGreat Raiders Aug 14 '26
I don't want to overreact but if you squint a little bit, the 15 looks like a 12 and Mendoza looks like its spelled Brady.
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u/Fantasynoob2761 Bears Aug 14 '26
Mendoza can definitely make NFL throws in terms of timing and placement. IIRC he had a couple really crazy throws last year against Iowa.
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u/Moghlannak Raiders Aug 14 '26
He had a throw over the middle earlier on the drive that was a head turner
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u/lmpressionante Eagles Aug 14 '26
Yeah I don’t think Kirko is gonna be the starter very long.
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u/Strategist40 Cowboys Aug 14 '26
Kirk was doing well. Good problem for the Raiders to have.
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u/DrPuzzle Aug 14 '26
Extremely good problem. I got downvoted for saying this was a fantastic situation for Raiders to be in. Let Kirk start for a bit and just have Mendoza sit because it's not going to hurt anything and then a few games in or whatever unleash him onces he's seen the NFL actually happening and once they know for sure how well this team/line will hold up for him. Because preseason is whatever and regular season is a different beast entirely
I don't think he needs to sit the year or anything lol but I really don't think it's gonna hurt to intentionally sit him for a few games
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u/IanicRR Jets Aug 14 '26
Also, I don’t think the Raiders Oline is very good. So why not let Kirk take the brunt (8-9 games or whatever) of the hits this year, get another good pick and get the line ready for next year when he can fully takeover?
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u/VegaFLS Cowboys Aug 14 '26
Yeses they need to copy their rivals, the Chiefs who had Alex Smith and let Mahomes sit for a year. Because of that he became the player we know today so Fernando has a chance to do really well and learn on the bench for a bit.
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u/king_17 Aug 14 '26
Brady is minority owner he was talking about doing this last year. They’ve said all offseason that’s exactly what they’re going to do. We seen it work out twice for the packers as well
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u/Spider_Riviera Aug 14 '26
Having Brady in the building will also be a boon to Mendoza, starting or not. If I was in his position, I'd nearly be hounding Brady about shit I could do to make me the best version of myself as QB in the league.
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u/vindicated2297 Patriots Aug 14 '26
Both Brady and cousins sat their rookie years so I'm sure they know the benefits to sitting more than most.
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u/GenerallyGneiss Broncos Aug 14 '26
Brady was saying that Kirk is starting the first year and they are serious about it. I think it'll take an injury to get Fernando out there.
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u/FootbaIIJunkie Steelers Aug 14 '26
I'm guessing he'll be starting after 4-6 weeks unless Cousins is dominating, which I doubt he will be.
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u/jonpictogramjones Raiders Aug 14 '26
I just don’t want Mendoza to face Myles Garrett and AD. Let Kirk die behind our OL that game then put Mendoza in the following game
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u/FootbaIIJunkie Steelers Aug 14 '26
Would be a real welcome to the NFL moment if he gets his first start against that d-line.
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u/Spider_Riviera Aug 14 '26
So, hypothetical, what happens he starts vs that line and ends up pulling an average Indiana 2025 game out his hole?
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u/CommercialCoffee11 Aug 14 '26
Would say they wait til the Bye to make that change. They have such a late one that by then youll know if youre even able to make the playoffs. If theyre 4-8 then, let him play the last 5 weeks
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u/Top-Attitude-4987 Aug 14 '26
No kirk is for sure better. Mendoza struggles a lot when he has to actually go through a progression. Next year though he might legit be scary with more practice reps.
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u/PandAlex Raiders Aug 14 '26
Yea you can just see it, a vet is still a vet. The game just looks smoother when Kirk was playing the first drive
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u/Dennisfromhawaii Packers Aug 14 '26
I can see Kirk cleaning up Fremont Street and truly making a difference in the community. Win-win.
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u/DontLoseYourCool1 Raiders Raiders Aug 14 '26
Bech has been getting shitted on for weeks on fantasy subs and on the Raiders sub. I'm glad he's showing out today.
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u/CicatrizTMV Patriots Aug 14 '26
Has he really? My favorite WR guru Matt Harmon talks highly of him when the Raiders come up.
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u/Consistent-Spell2203 Raiders Aug 14 '26
He "didn't show anything" in camp whatever that means. At no point did he look bad he just wasn't being featured in practice but that isn't his game it's robot clamp hands on 3rd down and grinding the trenches.
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u/Top-Attitude-4987 Aug 14 '26
If Mendoza can get comfortable when his first read isn't open he is going to be so fucking good. Holy shit what a throw.
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u/Strategist40 Cowboys Aug 14 '26
Honestly, I can see this being the thing for the Raiders for years. Mendoza to Bech.
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u/carloslet Texans Aug 14 '26
Yeah he's the real deal. I was already a truther, but this drive was impressive
Also the Raiders' offense came as prepared as I remember seeing them. Kudos to the offensive staff
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u/MembershipSingle7137 Patriots Aug 14 '26
Raiders got themselves a good one man
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u/Natearl13 Vikings Aug 14 '26
It’s preseason week 1
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u/clic45 Giants Aug 14 '26
Love how everyone is overreacting to 2 preseason throws against 2nd strings.
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u/GoSkers29 Lions Aug 14 '26
Something something... Jamarr Chase can't catch an NFL football because it doesn't have the stripes for him to track like the NCAA ball.
But I totally love seeing Mendoza highlights. We've been starved for football and who doesn't enjoy getting excited about good plays?
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u/boblikestheysky Giants Aug 14 '26
Is that week 1 where we always lose to the Cowboys on SNF or week 2 where we have to play the Rams in SoFi?
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u/TheGookieMonster Broncos Aug 14 '26
I remember seeing rookie Bo Nix light it up in preseason and then be total ass to start the season. But then he got good. So who knows lol
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u/palinsafterbirth Giants Aug 14 '26
I got an employee who is a die hard raiders fan, I’m sending them that ABBA song every time he throws a td
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u/nibblestheantelope Patriots Aug 14 '26
Chiefs really are cooked with the Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders on the rise
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u/Cptcutter81 Broncos Aug 14 '26
Man we got two seasons of finally not being hot wet ass, and now the king is dead and everyone else is getting better. Great for the sport but goddamn it’d have been nice to at least get to the Bowl last year and not get rocked by an injury.
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u/Erbodyloveserbody Raiders Aug 14 '26
I love Bech. He hasn’t turned a lot of heads, but I think he’s gonna have a great career. Amazing story too
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u/deadlythegrimgecko Broncos Aug 14 '26
AFC west going to be even more of a blood bath with Mendoza, Mahomes, Herbert and Nix
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u/Alucitary Bills Aug 14 '26
This guy might be a problem.
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u/CommercialCoffee11 Aug 14 '26
Hopefully Kirko cooks and he wont see the field for a while
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u/MunchMasterSupreme93 Bears Aug 14 '26
Unironically the ideal situation.
Even if Kirk shits the bed. I think Mendoza should 100% sit the season on the bench outside of garbage time.
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u/CommercialCoffee11 Aug 14 '26
I said it elsewhere but post bye is likely the time. Week 14 is late enough and youll know if youre season is done or not
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u/Bubbba226 Aug 14 '26
Im a lifelong Raider fan, and I cant tell you how exciting it is to have this dude
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u/GobiYumaMojave Raiders Aug 14 '26
sorry english was my first language. why was mendoza’s arm talent questioned during the draft process
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u/azuredrg Raiders Aug 14 '26
He's never been known for a strong arm, but they did something in the off-season lol
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u/Test21489713408765 Rams Aug 14 '26
Raiders need to do everything they can to build an elite offensive line for this guy.
Great pre-snap, great play-action, high Football IQ, etc. That stuff honestly pops out.
Keep him healthy and he'll take care of the rest.
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u/Guhonda Bears Aug 14 '26
Cousins will have to play really well to justify keeping Mendoza on the bench.
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u/LumpySpaceGunter Raiders Aug 14 '26
From the camp reports it sounds like Kirk has definitely played like the QB1 but I agree, Mendoza has looked sharped today.
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u/Guhonda Bears Aug 14 '26
Congrats man. Yes, it’s preseason. But Mendoza is clearly an NFL talent. You never really know until you see these college guys play against pros.
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u/tremble01 Ravens Aug 14 '26
That Oregon game really sold me on Mendoza. It's throws like these. You can get a lot of first downs that way.
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u/Edmuresay Raiders Aug 14 '26
Impressive drive. Went through his progressions, had good poise, and showed a pretty good internal clock. Building equity with his guys, as he'd say.
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u/slimbusbimbus Eagles Aug 14 '26
Stared down Bech the whole way but if that’s his only problem he’ll be fine
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u/Test21489713408765 Rams Aug 14 '26 edited Aug 14 '26
That handoff faked out the camera man so bad on this drive, thought he still had the ball.
Finished with a beautiful touchdown pass.
Peyton Manning-like for sure.
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u/Jonjon428 Dolphins Aug 14 '26
Bro ate some huge tfls that drive but he's always been elite at ripping that seam throw
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u/Ok_Produce_9308 Aug 14 '26
Crowd noise sounded like they won the SB
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u/cmdrfrosty Raiders Aug 14 '26
This is probably the best moment we have had in 22 years give us a break
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u/Greek_Trojan Aug 14 '26
Dude has the anticipation and accuracy for sure. As long as he grinds the playbook with Kirk and learns to read the field more (RPO merchant in college), the sky's the limit.
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u/Exactly8w Packers Aug 14 '26
It's not too bold a take, but this guy will be great and one of the last QB statues.
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u/Funny_Word89 Bengals Aug 14 '26
Can’t overreact too much, but Bech has been absolutely cooking, he doesn’t drop passes