Adam Schefter shares surprising update about Raiders' eventual Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza switch

It's now no secret that first-year Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has been preparing for months to name veteran Kirk Cousins the team's Week 1 starting quarterback over rookie Fernando Mendoza. 

During a Monday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," ESPN's Adam Schefter added his name to the list of NFL insiders who believe Kubiak will stick to his plan. 

Raiders' Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza decision has been "trending" this way all along

"I still think it’s going to be Kirk," Schefter said about the Raiders' Week 1 QB1, per Ryan Ward of Heavy. "I’d be surprised if it was anybody else other than Kirk at this point in time. I think that’s the way it’s been trending all along." 

Mendoza's final two preseason outings showed why Kubiak has wanted to develop the exciting prospect slowly. While playing at the Houston Texans on Aug. 20, Mendoza completed 8-of-15 passes for 86 yards and an interception that was returned for a touchdown. Against the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 27, he went 7-of-14 passing for 57 yards with a pick and two sacks taken. 

That said, Mendoza showed promise when he completed 10-of-16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 13. Thus, it's possible that he could be deemed ready to start a meaningful game following the Raiders' Week 13 bye. 

If such a scenario played out, Mendoza would use the break to prepare to play in the Week 14 home game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 13. 

Will the Raiders wait until December to make Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza switch? 

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Raiders fifth among the betting favorites at +1000 odds to finish the 2026 season with the fewest wins in the league. It sounds like Schefter has been given reasons to believe Kubiak won't wait until Christmastime to make a quarterback change if Cousins has a losing record this fall. 

"Mendoza had moments in the preseason," Schefter added during the segment. "There’s no doubt his time is coming. He’s going to be the starter. He’s going to be the face of the franchise. The question is how soon? I was texting with somebody yesterday. They’re like, 'Sooner than you think.' I’m like, 'Really?' Now, we’ll see. … I think Cousins starts the opener against the Miami Dolphins (on Sept. 13)." 

It's unclear what "sooner" could mean, but it seems like Cousins will already be on the proverbial hot seat when he faces the Dolphins on the second Sunday of September.