Raiders Keep Fernando Mendoza Behind Kirk Cousins in 2026

Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to remain on the sideline against the New England Patriots as veteran Kirk Cousins continues to lead the team during the 2026 NFL season. Mendoza, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, has yet to take a regular-season snap, with his opportunities limited by Cousins' performances and the Raiders' 3-1 start.

According to Yahoo Sports on October 11, Mendoza is healthy and sits second on the quarterback depth chart. Unless Cousins suffers an injury or the team's circumstances change significantly, the rookie is expected to miss his fifth consecutive game to begin his professional career.

Las Vegas signed Cousins during the offseason after the Atlanta Falcons released him. The veteran has delivered strong results, giving first-year head coach Klint Kubiak little immediate reason to change quarterbacks, according to Last Word on Sports.

Cousins threw nine touchdown passes during the Raiders' first three games. CBS Sports reported that he matched Tom Brady's achievement from 2015 and 2021 as the only quarterbacks aged 38 or older to record nine touchdown passes over an opening three-game stretch.

The Raiders' latest performance also strengthened Cousins' position. In a 30-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4, he completed 31 of 52 passes for 365 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, according to CBS Sports and The Fantasy Footballers.

Although Las Vegas lost, its offense generated approximately 40 more yards and 10 additional first downs than Kansas City. The Raiders remained 3-1, leaving Mendoza without an obvious route to the starting role while Cousins continues to perform.

Mendoza has publicly supported the coaching staff's approach. Yahoo Sports, citing GMA, reported that the rookie accepted the team's decision to begin the season with a veteran quarterback.

"I am all for whatever the team wants and whatever is best for the team," Mendoza said.

He also expressed his commitment to the team's plans, while Kubiak's preference for developing young quarterbacks gradually has contributed to expectations that Mendoza will have to wait for his opportunity.

Week 8, when the Raiders are scheduled to face the New York Jets, has emerged as a possible point for reconsidering the quarterback position if Las Vegas falls below .500. However, Last Word on Sports and Yahoo Sports indicate that Cousins could retain the starting job throughout the 2026 season if the team continues winning.

Mendoza arrived in the NFL after an outstanding college career. At Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida, he passed for 1,396 yards and 16 touchdowns. He initially committed to Yale University before choosing the University of California, Berkeley, where he recorded 3,004 passing yards in 2024.

He transferred to Indiana for the 2025 season and threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns, adding seven rushing scores. Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy, earned Associated Press Player of the Year honors and led Indiana to a national championship with a 27-21 victory over Miami.

The rookie's development contrasts with that of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who was selected third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. New England initially placed Maye behind veteran Jacoby Brissett before giving him his first appearance against the New York Jets in Week 3 on September 19, 2024.

Maye entered with less than five minutes remaining while the Patriots trailed 24-3. He completed four of eight passes for 22 yards and took two sacks, according to CBS Sports.

His first start came in Week 6 against the Houston Texans on October 13, 2024. Maye completed 20 of 33 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns while leading New England in rushing with 38 yards, although the Patriots lost 41-21, according to the team's game notes.

Other first-round quarterbacks have also spent significant time developing behind established starters. Last Word on Sports cited Carson Palmer, who did not play during his rookie season with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003, and Aaron Rodgers, who spent his first three seasons with the Green Bay Packers behind Brett Favre and appeared in seven games without a start during that period.

Patrick Mahomes, selected 10th overall in 2017, also spent most of his rookie season backing up Alex Smith with the Kansas City Chiefs, appearing in one game.

The Raiders' immediate schedule includes the Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams over three consecutive weeks, followed by a later stretch featuring the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos. Mendoza's prospects will depend in part on how Las Vegas performs and whether Cousins remains available and effective.