The Las Vegas Raiders were quick to move on from the Geno Smith and Pete Carroll experiment. When the duo resulted in them getting the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the organization decided to move forward with Fernando Mendoza instead.
They also hired Klint Kubiak to be the new head coach of the franchise. However, one of the more confusing decisions came from their choice to bring Kirk Cousins on board as well. Now, as the veteran quarterback could get the starting nod, one analyst isn’t fully on board with their plan.
Raiders Are in a Tough Spot With Fernando Mendoza
A four-time Pro Bowler in his own right, Cousins has always been a solid quarterbacking option for any squad. However, ever since his injury and subsequent move to the Atlanta Falcons, he hasn’t produced at nearly the same level.
During his time with the Falcons, he threw just 28 touchdowns, while committing 21 interceptions in 24 games across two seasons. Last season, he ranked at number 24 on PFN’s QB Impact Metric, behind rookies like Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough.
As a result, many believed he could serve as a mentor and locker-room leader for Mendoza, who is coming off a spectacular campaign with Indiana. Leading them to the national championship, he was the fulcrum of the offense, recording 41 passing touchdowns and just six interceptions.
But the Raiders aren’t comfortable handing him the keys to the franchise just yet. Even as they turn the page on a new era, Ian Rapoport made an appearance on “The Insiders” to reveal the latest coming out of their camp.
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“It truly seems like the way they are planning, the way they’re hoping for it to all be, is for Kirk Cousins to be the starter at the beginning of the season, throughout the season, and at the end of the season, because that means he is playing well, it means he has stayed healthy, and it means Fernando Mendoza can just sit there and learn,” Rapoport said.
“If that is the way it goes for the Raiders, that is absolutely fine.” However, there is another scenario that could come to pass very quickly. “But it’s not a guarantee. And the reason I say that is because we have seen this in the past.”
Rather than the accepted timeline for Mendoza, he could be ahead of the curve. Rapoport added, “You say, ‘all right, we’re going to sit this rookie, probably not going to play, he’s going to learn.’ What if Mendoza hits the ground running so fast and so well that they say, ‘This guy has to play’? It might not be game one, but it could be early in the season.”
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Rapoport was quick to clarify, though, that a potential scenario where the Hoosiers alum turns out to be ahead of schedule is absolutely going to be a win for Las Vegas. And it could bode well for them, both in the near and long-term future.
“If that is the case for the Raiders, that also is excellent news. Does make it a little awkward in the QB room, but still news that the number one overall pick is exactly who they hope he would be.”
It remains to be seen how Mendoza’s trajectory shakes out in the coming months. His returns at the collegiate level were nothing short of sensational. But that has already earned him the first overall pick status.
Everything moving forward is going to be based on what the Raiders and Kubiak see from their rookie. But for the time being, the fan base is going to have to be patient before they get the full Mendoza experience.
