Raiders Hand Starting Job to Mendoza

The Las Vegas Raiders named 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza their starting quarterback on Tuesday. General Manager John Spytek made the announcement after trading veteran Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings. Mendoza will make his first career start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, the reigning Super Bowl champions.

The decision follows a season-long plan to evaluate Mendoza alongside Cousins. The Raiders selected Mendoza with the intention of making him their franchise quarterback. They wanted to be patient with his development, discussing their plans with him during a predraft interview. The team intended for Cousins to start the season until performance or Mendoza's readiness dictated a change. The trade concludes that timeline.

Mendoza made his NFL debut late in the Week 5 loss to the New England Patriots. He completed six of eight passes for 48 yards in that appearance. Since then, he has continued to wait his turn while preparing for the role. Coach Klint Kubiak stated that Mendoza exceeded team expectations during practice. The quarterback wore his helmet during games and stood near quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan, reciting playcalls from his headset.

Kubiak noted improvements in Mendoza's accuracy, offensive command, and ability to manage huddles and two-minute drills. The coach said Mendoza proved he was ready both physically and mentally. Mendoza was in the building on Tuesday studying for the upcoming game. Kubiak added that teammates recognize Mendoza's preparation. He noted that it was not just lip service, but demonstrated work on the practice field.

Spytek said Mendoza passed every test. He described Mendoza's growth as a person, teammate, leader, and quarterback. Spytek stated that Mendoza put the team in a position where they had to make a hard decision. He emphasized that the move does not mean the Raiders are punting on the season. The team is 4-5 and remains in the playoff hunt. Spytek said they intend to attack the Seahawks game like any other week.

Cousins served as a solid placeholder during the first nine weeks. He helped the Raiders surpass their win total from last year. In those starts, he threw for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. His final start was in Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers. He completed 22 of 32 passes for 216 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in a 38-17 loss. Spytek and Kubiak expressed difficulty in moving on from Cousins, who helped instill a new culture in Las Vegas.

Mendoza showcased potential during his lone season at Indiana. The Heisman Trophy winner threw career highs in passing yards, touchdown passes, completion rate, and QBR. He helped the Hoosiers win their first national title. The Raiders believed his accuracy, athleticism, and intelligence fit Kubiak's offensive scheme. The team stared into the future with Mendoza and felt it was time for a change.