Raiders Name Fernando Mendoza Starting QB

The Fernando Mendoza era is beginning in Las Vegas. During his press conference today, coach Klint Kubiak revealed that the rookie will step into the starting QB role.

“He passed every test,” GM John Spytek told reporters (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). “I want to stop short of saying he’s earned it but he put us in a position where we had to make a really hard decision today with his growth as a teammate. As a leader, as a quarterback.”

The writing appeared to be on the wall after the Raiders moved on from Kirk Cousins today. There was some speculation that the organization could temporarily turn to Aidan O’Connell for the time being. Instead, the first-overall pick in this past year’s draft will be under center when the Raiders take the field this Sunday.

Cousins performed admirably through the first nine weeks of the season, allowing Mendoza to continue maturing on the sideline. The rookie did get a look during the team’s Week 5 blowout loss to the Patriots, when he completed six of his eight pass attempts for 48 yards.

He’ll obviously have the leash to start for the rest of the season, and with the Raiders still competing for a playoff spot, the games won’t be meaningless for the first-year player. He’ll also face some difficult matchups. He’ll go against the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks in his first NFL start, followed by a start against a stout Broncos defense.

The Raiders made Mendoza the top-overall pick in this year’s class following his standout 2025 campaign. After transferring to Indiana from California, the QB paced all of college football with 41 passing touchdowns en route to the Heisman Trophy and the 2026 national championship.

With the Raiders, Mendoza will be tasked with guiding a franchise that’s only made a pair of playoff appearances since losing Super Bowl XXXVII. The offense is far from complete, but the Raiders will provide their rookie with some pieces, most notably star TE Brock Bowers. The team also used the sixth-overall pick in 2025 on Ashton Jeanty, although the running back has disappointed in his sophomore season. Depending on Mendoza’s performance down the stretch, it wouldn’t be surprising if the front office continues to add to an underwhelming receivers corps that currently features the likes of Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, and Jack Bech.

As for Cousins, Spytek indicated that the Raiders were never actively shopping the veteran, with the GM claiming that he “never made one call” (per Garafolo). Ultimately, it was the aggressiveness of Vikings GM Nolan Teasley that led to the Raiders parting ways with Cousins.