Klint Kubiak and Fernando Mendoza Presser - 11.11.26

Klint Kubiak (0:02)

All right, how's it going? You know, happy Veterans Day. I want to take time to acknowledge, you know, all the veterans and everyone that keeps our country safe.

Obviously, we have Coach Sullivan on our staff, who, you know, I'm so grateful for him and so many reasons, but especially his service. Trey Zoon was limited today, and I'll take any of your questions.

SPEAKER_2 (0:22)

How'd it go for Fernando today, with his first practice in the start quarterback?

Klint Kubiak (0:26)

Went well. He's prepared.

SPEAKER_3 (0:28)

You mentioned yesterday how Fernando exceeded expectations on the practice field to this point.

SPEAKER_4 (0:33)

I was wondering, is there a particular moment you recall for practice that kind of like stood out to you the most?

Klint Kubiak (0:39)

There's not, and that's a good thing. You know, it's consistency, playmaking, knowledge of our scheme. Just his daily preparation has been up to standard, and now he's got to go prove it in the game.

SPEAKER_4 (0:55)

What's the mood of the team? What's your kind of moving forward with this?

Klint Kubiak (0:59)

Yeah, you know, everybody's got a smartphone, everyone knows the news. We address what happened yesterday, and we move on, and we wish Kirk the best, and move on with Fernando and with Aiden.

SPEAKER_5 (1:11)

He was obviously a leader of the team and a big part of the culture here. Just what was the message to the guys in sending him away?

Klint Kubiak (1:18)

Yeah, that was it. Just the honesty of, you know, Kirk was a leader. He is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and he's a member of our family here forever.

SPEAKER_5 (1:29)

How do you feel Fernando can step up into that role in terms of a leadership aspect?

Klint Kubiak (1:34)

Yeah, he just got to do his job. You know, you have to lead through production first, and so he's focused on doing his job.

SPEAKER_3 (1:40)

Klint, last year you had to go up against that Seattle defense every week in practice, and now Fernando Mendoza, that's his first start. You know, do you think this is a really invaluable experience for him to play against a defense like that?

Klint Kubiak (1:50)

It is, yeah. And every week in the NFL is tough, and this is the best defense in the NFL. And again, he's got to go do his job and not worry about a whole lot else. Everybody does their 1-11th, and everyone around him elevate their play.

SPEAKER_6 (2:05)

Everything's been kind of a whirlwind, excuse me, for Fernando the past 24 hours, not just for the team. As a head coach, how do you help him mentally through this process?

Klint Kubiak (2:14)

Yeah, I think it starts with, it shouldn't be a whirlwind if he's been preparing the right way each week. You know, at some point, he knew he was going to get an opportunity, and so he's been preparing that way since April.

SPEAKER_6 (2:25)

What's it been like for you, first time head coach, going through something like this? You mentioned it's going to be a transition for the team yesterday, but also for yourself.

Klint Kubiak (2:32)

Yeah, you know, it's just being upfront and honest with the team, and that's what I would want if I was a player. Just tell me the truth, and let's move on together.

SPEAKER_2 (2:43)

You go from somebody that understood your offense and was part of your offense for multiple years to somebody that's in his first year in your office. Does that change anything in terms of the playbook, the volume of the playbook as you go into this week?

Klint Kubiak (2:55)

You know, we gathered information on what our, what every player can handle, you know, going back to April. And, you know, we have an awareness of his situation and hit being his first game.

However, you know, we're not, we're not peeling back anything. And, you know, we're going to go do what the whole team does best, you know, all 11 And then he does his part distributing the football.

SPEAKER_7 (3:17)

Klint, your depth chart lists JPJs as starting, right? Same thing last week, but Trey got it. I'm just curious, is that accurate? Is he your starter?

Klint Kubiak (3:27)

Trey will be the starter if he can go.

SPEAKER_7 (3:28)

Yep.

SPEAKER_9 (3:29)

Klint, does Fernando's mobility, you know, young arm, arm talent, does that bring any new possibilities to the offense?

Klint Kubiak (3:37)

Yeah, he brings his own unique things, you know.

And yes, yes, he's a young man with some juice in his legs, and he's got a lot of talent. But, you know, in this game on Sunday, you know, it's going to be about way more than, you know, his physical talent. It's going to be about, you know, his leadership, his knowledge of the offense, his ability to read defense. And again, I'll say it, it's his reliance on his teammates and everybody around him elevating their level of play. We're not putting it all on him.