Raiders' Kirk Cousins faces high stakes as Fernando Mendoza waits in the wings

It's a total showdown between Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza. Which quarterback will get the start for the Las Vegas Raiders? Probably Cousins, given he's a veteran and Mendoza is still getting his feet wet in the NFL.

But after the first handful of weeks, all bets are off. If the Raiders aren't winning early in the season, they could decide to give Mendoza a chance to start sooner than expected, too.

So, it's a big year for both quarterbacks, and the pressure is on. But, one NFL analyst thinks the pressure is more on Cousins going into the 2026 season.

Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is under pressure

In a feature out from The Athletic, the publication's NFL beat writers name a player on each team with the most on the line for the upcoming season.

So, where does Vegas fall? Raiders beat writer Sam Warren picked Cousins.

"The Raiders appear to have a clear plan at quarterback in place in both the short and long term as Cousins is in line to start the year before No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza eventually succeeds him," he states in the piece. "The 37-year-old should hope that transition is amicable for the sake of his career.

"Cousins' two years with the Falcons weren't the tidiest, and if inconsistent play follows him to Las Vegas, his 15th season could be his last chance to contribute."

So, it's one last shot for Cousins. But, honestly, looking at everything this former Michigan State Spartan has brought to the NFL for years, no matter what he does in Vegas, his legacy is safe.