Pro Football Rumors
The Raiders drafted their quarterback of the future with No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, but he may not be the team’s starter in Week 1.
Instead, Kirk Cousins is “well-positioned” to open the regular season as Las Vegas’ starting quarterback, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. This aligns with previous comments from new head coach Klint Kubiak that indicated his preference for Mendoza to sit behind a veteran to begin his rookie year.
Many teams have adopted that strategy in recent years, including the Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes and the Ravens with Lamar Jackson. The reasoning is simple: transitioning to the NFL as a quarterback is harder than any other position. Offensive schemes are more complicated with quarterbacks expected to make the necessary pre-snap adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Even an experienced, accomplished college player like Mendoza will need time before offering high-level play at the next level.
Fowler’s report is not an indication of any difficulties on Mendoza’s part. The rookie impressed in spring practices, but the Raiders do not want to place any undue pressure on the future of their franchise.
“Mendoza will be ready when he’s ready,” Fowler said. “They don’t have to rush him into Week 1 action until he’s fully prepared.”
Mendoza’s preparations include an adjustment to Kubiak’s heavy use of under-center formations and play action passes. Indiana’s offense ran almost exclusively out of the shotgun last year with Mendoza going under center just 3% of the time (via ESPN’s Jordan Reid). The Hoosiers play action rate was similar to the Seahawks’ in 2025, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required) but there are stark differences between faking handoffs out of the shotgun compared to under center.
Still, Las Vegas has not ruled out naming Mendoza as their Week 1 starter.
“They’re leaving a little wiggle room if he shows up for training camp and just wows everybody and takes the job,” Fowler added. “He could play, but they’re going to do it when he’s fully ready. There’s a plan and they’re not trying to rush him right now.”
