Las Vegas Raiders insert Fernando Mendoza as starting quarterback
On Nov. 11, 2026, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that rookie Fernando Mendoza will start at quarterback after trading Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings. Owner Mark Davis told Paul Gutierrez in an exclusive interview that the move represents the club’s long-term plan coming to fruition. The promotion follows the Raiders using the No. 1 overall pick on Mendoza and a period in which Cousins served as a veteran mentor to the rookie.
Davis said the organization drafted Mendoza with the intention of not forcing a rookie into a Day 1 starter role and that the team always had a timeline for Mendoza to take over. “It was not if, but when,” Davis said, adding, “It is Fernando’s time to start the season.” He praised Cousins for his leadership and contributions during the transition.
Cousins ranked second in the NFL in touchdown passes with 20 and fifth in passing yards with 2,340 at the time of the move. General manager John Spytek insisted the decision “in no way signifies that we are punting on this season or looking forward to 2027,” according to the Raiders. Spytek said the change reflects a team-first approach and that evaluations will begin anew with Mendoza as the club’s starting quarterback.
Tight end Brock Bowers expressed confidence in Mendoza, praising his practice work and decision-making and saying he is eager to see Mendoza play live and use his mobility. The Raiders entered the transition with a 4-5 record and were scheduled to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday; the team described Seattle as having the NFL’s top-ranked total defense. The organization said Mendoza’s arm strength and ability to extend plays could open the vertical passing game and help revive the running attack.
The club placed the move in historical context, noting past Raiders quarterbacks who waited for their opportunity, including Ken Stabler and Jim Plunkett. Davis called the decision “a major milestone in Raider history” and said he was excited about the future. The franchise framed the promotion as the start of a new chapter while acknowledging the uniqueness of inserting a rookie starter after trading a respected veteran.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Raiders have accelerated the evaluation of their No. 1 draft pick by turning the keys over to Fernando Mendoza, a move that trades Cousins’ veteran savvy for Mendoza’s arm strength and mobility. The immediate test will come against a Seattle defense described by the team as the league’s best overall, a difficult assignment for any rookie starter. With the Raiders sitting at 4-5, the decision balances short-term competitiveness and long-term development and will be judged on Mendoza’s ability to protect the football, stretch the field and sustain drives over the remainder of the season.