Las Vegas is turning to Fernando Mendoza for his first regular-season start after trading Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings.
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The Las Vegas Raiders will turn to Fernando Mendoza as their new starting quarterback after trading Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 10 in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick.
With the Raiders at 4-5, they remain in the playoff conversation heading into Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks. The switch sets up Mendoza’s first regular-season start.
On Nov. 12, Prime Video’s NFL insider James Palmer said practice conversations led the team to believe Mendoza was ready to step in. Palmer said, “Talking to people there over the last couple of weeks of practice, they all believe Fernando Mendoza is more than ready to step into the starting role,” and added that Palmer was told Cousins “was almost excited” about the change.
Palmer also said the Raiders expect to simplify the scheme for Mendoza, pointing to “more bootlegs and rollouts to take advantage of his athleticism,” describing it as a “big part of Klint Kubiak’s system.”
Former NFL defensive lineman Gerald McCoy said he trusts the Raiders’ approach of putting Mendoza into real-game situations early. McCoy said, “If we want trial by fire, look no further than the Seattle Seahawks’ defense, but I trust them,” adding that the team would not have made the Cousins move unless it believed Mendoza was ready.
McCoy also said the Raiders appear to be giving Mendoza opportunities in a way that includes “some easy throws,” while also learning through live reps.
Before Mendoza’s first regular-season start, Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby described Mendoza as a quarterback he expects to succeed. Crosby told reporters on Nov. 12, “I think Fernando is going to do incredible, and I love Fernando,” adding that he “brings joy to the locker room” and “I think he is going to do an amazing job.”
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