Doug Pederson gives Raiders some big Fernando Mendoza, Kirk Cousins advice

Since even before the Las Vegas Raiders officially made quarterback Fernando Mendoza the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, numerous outsiders have expected that first-year Raiders head coach and advertised offensive guru Klint Kubiak will eventually name veteran Kirk Cousins the team's Week 1 starter. 

During a recent appearance on "CBS Sports HQ," former Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson shared some advice for Kubiak regarding the Raiders' quarterback situation. 

"Very beneficial" for the Raiders to start Fernando Mendoza right away?

"Let’s start having our growing pains in Week 1," Pederson said about the Raiders, per Eduardo Razo of Heavy. "[The Raiders should] not prolong it into October, November or later in the season when maybe the season’s over. Let’s get [Mendoza] out there now [and] get him working with the guys he’s going to be working with, making the calls on the offensive line and getting (running back) Ashton Jeanty the ball. I think Klint Kubiak’s system is going to allow for that with the play-action pass, the run game...Let’s get Fernando on the field. I think it’s very beneficial." 

Raiders minority owner Tom Brady seems to disagree that forcing Mendoza to play this coming September would be "very beneficial" for the rookie's overall development. One June report even suggested that Mendoza could enter the season as the Raiders' QB3 behind Cousins and backup Aidan O'Connell.

Raiders have "a win-win" situation at quarterback this summer?

Back in April, Zak Keefer of The Athletic noted that "Cousins isn’t getting paid $20M, his guaranteed salary for 2026, to hold a clipboard and be a mentor" this fall. That said, Cousins seemingly was a positive for current Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. over the past two seasons amid what could have been an awkward situation for those involved. 

"I think Kirk Cousins is a solid No. 2 that you can rely on at any time, and I think he’s a great mentor for Fernando Mendoza," Pederson added during the segment. "So I think this is a win-win for the Raiders at quarterback."

One can currently only guess which quarterbacks will take which snaps when the Raiders open the preseason with a home game against the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 13. How Mendoza performs in that contest could determine whether or not he is given a legitimate chance to win the starting job through Las Vegas' preseason finale versus the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 27.