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When Will Raiders Start Fernando Mendoza After Kubiak Comments?

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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When Will Raiders Start Fernando Mendoza After Kubiak Comments?

Originally posted on Lindy's Sports | By Cole Shelton | Last updated Aug 28, 2026 12:03 PM ET

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The Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, after he led the Indiana Hoosiers to a national championship.

Although Las Vegas selected Mendoza first overall, the Raiders did sign veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a five-year contract worth up to $172 million, but only $20 million is fully guaranteed. So, it’s mostly just a one-year deal, as Las Vegas can easily get out of the deal after this season.

Cousins is a good veteran leader for the Raiders and will likely be the starting quarterback to begin the year, especially after what head coach Klint Kubiak said following the team’s final preseason game.

Kubiak felt like Mendoza still needs more preseason games and reps to really get comfortable in the offense.

“He needs another three preseason games, and all those rookies do,” Kubiak said of Mendoza postgame. “Now that the season is starting, the practice reps get smaller, and that’s just life. But us as coaches, we’ve got to get them ready to play and keep developing.”

Despite Kubiak’s comments, he isn’t set to name a starting quarterback for Week 1 as he doesn’t feel the need to.

“I still don’t think we need to name anybody,” Kubiak said. “We have a lot to talk about at a lot of positions, so we want to watch the film and talk about everything as a staff.”

Yet, throughout training camp, all signs have pointed to Cousins starting the year at quarterback before Mendoza eventually takes over as the starter.

So, with Cousins likely the Raiders’ starting quarterback, when might Las Vegas pivot to Mendoza?

Looking at When Raiders Will Start Fernando Mendoza

Aug 27, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) warms up before a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Raiders are in no rush to start Mendoza and he could redshirt this entire season, similar to the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Jordan Love.

So, there is a chance the Raiders roll with Cousins as their starting quarterback all season. But, if they don’t there are some logical weeks when Kubiak will turn to Mendoza as the starter.

Week 14 vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The logical game for Mendoza to have his first NFL start is on Dec. 13 at home against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14.

Las Vegas’ bye week is Week 13, so it would give Mendoza an extra week of preparation for the Chargers. It is later in the season than many Raiders fans would like, but starting after the bye week makes a ton of sense.

Week 8 @ New York Jets

If Kubiak and the Raiders want to ease Mendoza into his first NFL start, they may find a weak opponent for the rookie.

Outside of Week 1 against Miami, the easiest opponent on the Raiders’ schedule is on Nov. 1 in Week 8, when Las Vegas goes on the road to take on the New York Jets. Although having Mendoza’s first NFL start on the road isn’t ideal, going up against the Jets is an easy way for him to ease into the NFL.

Week 16 vs. Tennessee Titans

The final week that makes a ton of sense is Week 16, especially if the Raiders are out of it.

If Las Vegas is out of contention, they can use the final three games to see what they have in Mendoza. The Raiders take on the Tennessee Titans at home in Week 16 on Dec. 27, so that gives Mendoza plenty of time to get more practice reps.

The final three games would be against the Titans, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Kansas City Chiefs in the final week of the year, when the Chiefs could be resting their starters.

This article first appeared on Lindy's Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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