2026 No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza replaces Raiders QB Kirk Cousins in blowout loss to Patriots

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

2026 No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza replaces Raiders QB Kirk Cousins in blowout loss to Patriots

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 11, 2026 4:56 PM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders got their first look at rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza in Week 5.

Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, replaced starting QB Kirk Cousins when the Raiders trailed the New England Patriots 45-17 with 6:06 left in the fourth quarter.

Why did the Raiders bench Kirk Cousins?

Cousins' benching wasn't injury-related, but it probably doesn't signal that the Raiders are reordering the depth chart. With the game already lost, it didn't make sense for Vegas to put the 38-year-old at risk of suffering an injury. The club's brass has also made it apparent that it wants the veteran to play most of the season to give the rookie more time to develop.

Despite the lopsided margin, Cousins didn't play horribly against New England. He went 19-of-28 passing for 243 yards and one touchdown. But he did take three sacks for a loss of 23 yards.

Fernando Mendoza enters the game for the Raiders ️@LVvsNE on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Wsu8ssjbR5
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026

How did Fernando Mendoza look against the Patriots?

Now, Mendoza was playing in garbage time against the Patriots. That said, the 6-foot-5, 236-pound QB showed some of the skills that made him the clear QB1 in the 2026 class. The former Indiana Hoosiers star went 6-of-8 passing for 48 yards in rainy conditions and took no sacks.

His best pass was a 16-yarder to wide receiver Tre Tucker on a 1st-and-10 at the Raiders 49-yard line. 2025 Heisman winner Mendoza put some zip on the ball when releasing it. His arm talent made him an intriguing prospect throughout the predraft process.

Fernando Mendoza has made his NFL debut here in Week 5, as the Raiders are down big at the Patriots.

The #iufb alum and No. 1 overall pick went 6-8 for 48 yds including this completion to Tre Tucker. Also completed a pass to fellow Hoosier Ian Thomas.

Nice showing for Mendoza…
— Colin McMahon (@ColinMcMahon31) October 11, 2026

"Mendoza is a precision-based pocket passer whose game is built on rare accuracy and steady command in high-leverage moments," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote. "He lacks improvisational talent but proved to be a maestro playing the notes on the page with excellent rhythm and few mistakes as the season wore on."

The Raiders started 3-0 but have lost two straight. Things won't get any easier in Week 6 when they host the Buffalo Bills (CBS, 4:25 p.m. ET), led by QB Josh Allen.

Vegas, which hasn't made the playoffs since 2021, may fall out of postseason contention again. Regardless, Mendoza's first taste of NFL action provided hope for the future.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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