Mendoza Takes Over in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Raiders have handed their starting quarterback job to rookie Fernando Mendoza earlier than planned. The decision came after the team traded veteran Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings on deadline day for a third round pick.
Mendoza was selected first overall in the 2026 draft after winning the Heisman Trophy and a national title. Las Vegas originally wanted the rookie to sit and learn behind Cousins. Minority owner Tom Brady wanted to let rookie quarterbacks develop, and the team planned to build up the roster before making Mendoza the starter.
Coaching Staff Prepared Him Early
Las Vegas head coach Klint Kubiak expects the young passer to step up immediately. Kubiak said Thursday that Mendoza knew he would get an opportunity and has been preparing that way since April.
The Raiders built an offensive staff designed around Mendoza. Kubiak came in after winning the Super Bowl as offensive coordinator for Sam Darnold. He added Andrew Janocko as coordinator and Mike Sullivan as quarterbacks coach. Sullivan was assigned directly to Mendoza. Sullivan was on the Giants staff in 2004 when Eli Manning sat behind Kurt Warner for nine games before starting the final seven.
Learning from Cousins Before the Trade
Before the trade went through, Mendoza made full use of his time alongside Cousins. Mendoza said Wednesday that Cousins welcomed him with open arms and taught him film study and how to operate as a starting quarterback without any constraints.
The Raiders wanted to keep Cousins past the trade deadline and hold off on playing Mendoza until after their Week 13 bye. Minnesota called about Cousins before last weekend, but a bad performance by Carson Wentz for the Vikings on Monday night accelerated trade talks on Tuesday.
A Rare Path for a Top Draft Pick
The Raiders currently hold a 4-5 record as Mendoza steps into the starting job. Sitting a top draft pick is rare in recent league history. Between 2006 and 2025, out of 41 quarterbacks taken in the top ten, only six did not start at least one of their team's first eight games.
Only JaMarcus Russell and Jared Goff were picked first overall among that group. Mendoza now gets his opportunity to lead the Las Vegas offense on the field earlier than expected.
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